Stansted Airport Chamber of Commerce

Opening the Seminar, Nick Barton, Stansted's Commercial and Development Director 

Opening the Seminar, Nick Barton, Stansted's Commercial and Development Director.

"First, we continue to champion the use at Stansted of the world's most modern, clean and efficient aircraft - the type operated by low-cost airlines that operate here.

"Second, we continue to keep noisy planes out of our airport. There are strict limits on noise, and we make sure that our airlines stick to the rules.

"Third, we continue to urge the government to get to grips with preparations for the new community noise action plan. We are ready to consult with local people just as soon as we hear what guidelines airports, including Stansted, will be expected to follow.

"Fourth, we publish today new and updated maps showing the flight track and height of aircraft arriving and departing from Stansted. This helps local people - or those wanting to move here - to better understand how planes operate in the area.

"And finally, we highlight that while aircraft numbers may have increased, it's a fact that the area worst affected by noise has decreased significantly in size. And that is thanks to advances in aircraft technology.

"We are proud to stand by our record of action, and today we take another step forward by inviting industry figures to tell us what more they are doing to make aircraft even quieter, cleaner and more efficient.

"So today is all about building on success and renewing our commitment to drive for even higher standards of operations as we work to protect our community from impacts of noise."

One of the main speakers at the Seminar included Dr Mark Watson, Head of Corporate Environmental Affairs at the Society of British Aerospace Companies, who said:

"Current aircraft noise emissions are seventy five per cent lower than they were thirty years ago and we have set ourselves the target of a further reduction of fifty per cent of 2000 levels by 2020. An identical target has been set carbon dioxide emissions.

"The aerospace industry is confident that by the time the new runways at Heathrow and Stansted are built we will have delivered on our own self-imposed targets to cut noise, carbon dioxide and other emissions.

Technological innovation will enable airport expansion to be sustainable environmentally as well as economically."