Quieter aircraft land at Heathrow

Heathrow’s commitment to reducing the impact of aircraft noise takes another step forward today with the start of the UK’s first scheduled Boeing 787 Dreamliner service.

Qatar Airways is the first airline to operate the 787 at Heathrow and the move marks the first scheduled 787 service to a UK airport. It boasts a noise footprint 60 per cent quieter than similarly sized aircraft¹ and will contribute to Heathrow’s ambition to host one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world.

Matt Gorman, Heathrow’s Sustainability Director, says: ‘We know aircraft noise can disturb people living under the flight path and are therefore delighted that Qatar Airways have chosen to fly one of the world’s quietest aircraft out of Heathrow. This is another example of our drive to encourage the quietest and cleanest planes to come to Heathrow as we try to reduce the impact of the airport on the local community.’

Heathrow continues to encourage the introduction of new, quieter aircraft by charging them lower landing fees and developing infrastructure such as stands and taxiways to accommodate larger aircraft like A380s. The airport already hosts nine A380s – which produce half the noise of their nearest rival when taking off². Heathrow expects to have approximately thirty A380s and approximately thirty B787s by 2020.

Quieter aircraft is one of a range of measures Heathrow is encouraging in order to reduce the impact of aircraft nose on local communities. Other measures include offering insulation to local residents and trialling new operational procedures which aim to reduce disruption.

Notes to editor:

For further information, please contact the Heathrow media centre on 020 8745 7224 or email heathrowmediacentre@baa.com

The Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787 will arrive at Heathrow every day from Doha at 1105hrs (flight QR 075) with the return flight departing every day at 1505hrs (flight QR 076). The first flight arrives at Heathrow on Thursday 11^th December at 1105hrs.

Further information about the noise profile of Boeing’s 787 aircraft can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4WFWa3IABA&sns=em

¹ From Boeing website: ‘The noise footprint of the 787 is more than 60 per cent smaller than today’s similarly sized airplanes.’ http://www.newairplane.com/787/design_highlights/#/environmental-performance/quieter-for-the-community/quieter-at-heathrow

²From Airbus website: ‘The A380 carries 42% more passengers than the 747-400 but produces half the noise energy when taking off; and three to four times less noise energy when landing.’
http://www.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/files/brochures_publications/aircraft_families/A380_new_generation_new_experience_leaflet.pdf (p.8)

Contact information
Name Heathrow Airport media centre
Telephone +44 (0)20 8745 7224
Email heathrowmediacentre@baa.com

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