Future Plans

Monitoring and Managing Ongoing Noise Impact

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Our Noise Action Plan

London Stansted has monitored, reported on and managed aircraft noise issues since the 1990’s and we have well established procedures and practices. In developing this update of our Noise Strategy, we actively consulted with the Airport’s Consultative Committee (ACC) and listened to their feedback. As a result we have developed several new actions that will be introduced over the lifetime of this five-year action plan and we will work closely with the ACC to achieve them.

View our Noise Action Plan (12 MB PDF)

View our Noise Action Plan Summary (5.7 MB PDF)

Fixed Electrical Ground Power Study (979 KB)

Night noise consultation

The government has published its decision on the current Night Flying regime following a 2 stage public consultation. A copy of this decision can be found
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/night-flights

Navigation trials

In recent years, London Stansted has worked proactively with airlines to trial new navigational techniques with the aim of improving the accuracy of departing aircraft track-keeping within the airport’s Noise Preferential Routes (NPRs). As new technology become available to the industry, we will continue to progress such trials with our airlines. We will also continue to lobby the wider industry to make the airspace changes needed that will allow airlines to maximise the benefits such technological advancements offer.

Tomorrow’s technology

The design of airframes and engines has improved significantly since the first jets started flying. And those first jets have all been phased out and replaced by newer, quieter planes. Airframe design improvements have focused on reducing the amount of friction and turbulence that occurs as the air passes over an aircraft’s wings and fuselage, which is what causes the noise. For example, today’s Boeing 737s use ‘advanced-technology winglets’ on the end of the wings, which reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore noise.

Airbus also developed a new way of reducing engine fan noise, which is being used in the new A380, and has also developed software which can work out the quietest way to take off or land, based on how much noise a specific plane journey is making on the ground.

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, we'd like to hear from you.

Contact the airport with a noise enquiry

Useful links

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Passenger guides

Everything you need to know for your journey through London Stansted Airport

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Frequently asked questions

Have a question? Check out our FAQs or get in touch