Noise - developing more efficient operating procedures

For take-off

Work continues on the Departures Code of Practice and since 2008 the Group now meets at approximately two monthly intervals.

Progress continues to be made and it is now envisaged that the final 'Code', will include ground operations as well as factors such as single engine taxi, airspace management, airport management and design and the use of aircraft Auxiliary Power Units.

This work has built on the wealth of experience we have in this field. One of the earlier achievements we had was in 1997 when we carried out a ground-breaking series of trials to identify the quietest noise procedures for all of our Boeing 747 departures.

The results were reported publicly to the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee and elsewhere and led to a change in the departure procedures used by our aircraft.

For landing

We have led the airline industry in promoting best practice for minimising noise including 'Continuous Descent Approaches' for landing. This means that aircraft come in to land at a more constant speed and rate of descent, rather than making a series of step descents, as has been the method used in the past.

Coming in to land at the steadier rate uses less fuel and is also quieter. We're currently achieving Continuous Descent Approach for 95% of landings at Heathrow compared to an airport average of 83.5%.

Continuous Descent Approach

Promoting good practice

The Continuous Descent Approach procedure forms the core procedure of "An Industry Code of Practice", which is now in its second edition. British Airways was part of the original group that drew up this 'code'.

Following the success of the arrivals code we are now looking at a similar code of practice for departing aircraft. This work is being done in connection with the Sustainable Aviation's Noise Abatement Working Group.

For more information on the continuous descent approach, see 'For landing' link above.

Avoiding night-time movements

We have a firm focus on improving the punctuality of our departing flights which helps to prevent take-offs at night. Due to airport infrastructure issues, however, this is sometimes unavoidable.

We have also had a voluntary target not to land before 04:30 in the morning at our London airports for some time, and constantly monitor this to ensure the target is met.

Our move into Heathrow's Terminal 5 has delivered fantastic results regards our punctuality which has significantly helped in delivering this target.