Our Noise Performance

Information about London Stansted’s Noise Performance

The aviation industry creates many economic benefits and social opportunities, despite a number of challenges – including noise disturbance from airport operations. Each year, we report on how we manage these issues via our Corporate Sustainability Report.

Here are some important performance measurements from the most recently published reports.

Track-Keeping Performance

% of departures on-track (all flights):

2023 - 99.78%
2022 - 99.79%
2021 - 99.74%
2020 - 99.66%
2019 - 99.68%
2018 - 99.61%
2017 - 99.53%
2016 - 99.29%
2015 - 99.31%
2014 - 99.22%
2013 - 99.03%
2012 - 98.95%
2011 - 99.07%
2010 - 98.76%

Noise Infringements

Note, noise limits lowered from May 2022 to 89dB for Daytime and 84dB for Night-Time

Day (0700 – 2300hrs):

2023 - 10 infringements
2022 - 3 infringements
2021 - 0 infringements
2020 - 0 infringements
2019 – 1 infringements
2018 – 0 infringements
2017 – 4 infringements
2016 - 1 infringement
2015 - 0 infringements
2014 - 1 infringement
2013 - 4 infringements
2012 - 1 infringement
2011 - 2 infringements
2010 - 2 infringements

Night (2300 – 0700hrs):

2023 - 11 infringements
2022 - 13 infringements
2021 - 2 infringements
2020 - 1 infringement
2019 - 0 infringements
2018 - 1 infringement
2017 - 4 infringements
2016 - 0 infringements
2015 - 1 infringement
2014 - 2 infringements
2013 - 4 infringements
2012 - 4 infringements
2011 - 22 infringements
2010 - 19 infringements

Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs)

Runway 22 direction only

2023 - 95.66%
2022 - 95.54%
2021 - 93.97%
2020 - 93.44%
2019 - 94.72%
2018 - 94.27%
2017 - 94.06%
2016 - 93.81%
2015 - 94.30%
2014 - 94.43%
2013 - 94.73%
2012 - 94.63%
2011 - 94.42%
2010 - 93.78%

Complaints

2023 - 15,231 (from 392 individuals)
2022 - 6,003 (from 494 individuals)
2021 - 9,186 (from 367 individuals)
2020 - 5,272 (from 413 individuals)
2019 - 15,389 (from 370 individuals)
2018 - 14,566 (from 571 individuals)
2017 - 8,395 (from 633 individuals)
2016 - 4,170 (from 670 individuals)
2015 - 747 complaints (from 245 individuals)
2014 - 1022 (from 427 individuals)
2013 - 907 (from 340 individuals)
2012 - 742 (from 305 individuals)
2011 - 881 (from 368 individuals)
2010 - 1,745 (from 545 individuals)

Noise Exposure Contours

Area within 57Leq contour

2022 - 21.4km²
2021 - 15.7 km²
2020 - 11.8km²
2019 - 28.5km²
2018 - 28.5km²
2017 - 26.5km²
2016 - 24.8km²
2015 - 23.6km²
2014 - 21.6km²
2013 - 20.0km²
2012 - 21.2km²
2011 - 21.2km²
2010 - 22.5km²

Population within 57Leq contour

2022 - 1,800
2021 - 1,100
2020 - 500
2019 - 2,500
2018 - 2,100
2017 - 2,450
2016 - 2,050
2015 - 1,650
2014 - 1,650
2013 - 1,250
2012 - 1,250
2011 - 1,250
2010 - 1,400

Noise Abatement Compliance

Noise Abatement consists of many aspects, including noise limits, CDAs, track keeping etc. Please see below for a more detailed breakdown of compliance, contained in the below reports.

Noise Abatement Summary 2022-2023

Noise Abatement Summary 2021-2022

Noise Abatement Summary 2020-2021

Noise Abatement Summary 2019-2020

Noise Abatement Summary 2018-2019

Noise Abatement Summary 2017-2018

Noise Abatement Summary 2016-2017

Noise Abatement Summary 2015-2016

Noise Abatement Summary 2014-2015

Noise Abatement Summary 2013-2014

Noise Abatement Compliance 2012

Noise Complaints Analysis

The Noise Complaints Report 2023 details all noise complaints received in 2023. The report covers the method and the localities of these complaints, as well as displaying noise infringements and runway usage statistics by month.

Noise Complaints Report 2022

Noise Complaints Report 2021

Noise Complaints Report 2020

Noise Complaints Report 2019

Noise Complaints Report 2018

Noise Complaints Report 2017

Noise Complaints Report 2016

Noise Complaints Report 2015

FEU Quarterly Report

Can't find what you're looking for?

We hope that our dedicated section of the website for noise provides answers to all the possible questions you may have. However, if you can't find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us.

Contact the airport with a noise enquiry.

London Stansted Airport would like to send you marketing emails and SMS regarding:

Airport discounts
Competitions
Services and announcements

We take your privacy seriously. Read our Privacy Notice to find out how we handle and process your personal information. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.