Emirates has been awarded Gold Tier recognition in New York JFK Airport's 2024 Fly Quiet Programme. Emirates’ score of 92.9 significantly outpaced other carriers flying into the airport and taking part in the programme.
The Fly Quiet
Programme, developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is a
voluntary initiative that encourages airlines to minimise their noise signature
through utilising quieter aircraft as well as embracing noise abatement
procedures and preferential runway usage.
Since the programme's
inception, Emirates has collaborated closely with the Port Authority, with the
airline’s Flight Operations team making sustained efforts to exceed all the
programme’s requirements.
The latest accolade at
one of the world's busiest international hubs follows a series of industry
recognitions in noise management over the years, including Silver Tier status
at Newark (EWR) and the Chairperson's Award at San Francisco’s (SFO) Fly Quiet
programmes.
Emirates’ fleet noise
levels register a notable cumulative margin which is better than 12 EPNdB over
ICAO Chapter 4 requirements.
The airline’s all
wide-body fleet and high-capacity operations efficiently transport passengers,
while achieving optimised noise output by delivering an average of 1.75 million
passenger-kilometres per sector, which involves one arrival and one departure
noise event]. Simply put, this means
fuller aircraft flying non-stop over longer distances, all while optimising
noise output.
Operational efficiency
through high-capacity long-range aircraft helps deliver significant overall
noise efficiency.
Consider a route serving 500 daily passengers,
which a single Emirates Airbus A380 wide-body aircraft completes with one
arrival and one departure noise event.
Operations on the same
routing using smaller aircraft, which have different noise characteristics in
comparison to Emirates aircraft, may require up to three flights in each
direction as well as a tech-stop, generating a total of six arrival and six
departure noise events for the same operation.
The nature of the airline’s network and
high-capacity operations driven by a fleet of wide-body aircraft is how
Emirates’ operational model optimises noise output while maintaining vital
connectivity for communities.
Air connectivity
delivers community benefits that extend far beyond airport boundaries, linking
families and friends across continents, generating substantial economic
activity in local communities, creating employment opportunities, and
facilitating international trade and tourism to drive prosperity.
A commitment to
quieter skies
Aircraft noise
abatement is vital for protecting the health and quality of life of
airport-adjacent communities. The airline's commitment to minimising its noise
impact reflects its support for local communities in the destinations it
serves, recognising that even small decisions in flight operations can lead to
meaningful noise reduction on the ground.
The airline's noise reduction strategy pursues every available means while maintaining the highest standards of operational diligence, including:
- Compliance to noise abatement and curfews:
Emirates’ noise
management strategy mandates strict adherence to Noise Abatement Departure
Procedures (NADP). These procedures, published by state authorities, are
integrated into Emirates’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are
meticulously followed by all flight crews. The airline also ensures
ongoing alignment with airport-specific curfews and restrictions,
respecting local guidelines at every destination.
- Prioritising noise preferential runways: Emirates proactively utilises Noise
Preferential Runways whenever operationally viable, even when facing
challenging conditions such as tailwinds, provided safety standards are
maintained.
- Transparent monitoring and accountability:
Accountability drives
Emirates’ operational approach. Any deviation from noise procedures
triggers mandatory crew reports, which undergo rigorous review to identify
root causes and implement improvements. This continuous feedback loop
supports the airline's commitment to ongoing improvement and responsible
operations.
- A quieter fleet: Emirates operates one of the industry's
quietest widebody fleets, achieving cumulative EPNdB margins meeting or
better than ICAO Chapter 4 and Chapter 14 standards. Ongoing fleet
modernisation investments ensure that noise performance keeps pace with
technological advancement and continues to improve in the coming years.
- Collaborative engagement with stakeholders: Emirates’ approach to noise management extends beyond technical excellence, with collaborative partnerships playing a central role in contributing insights and sharing industry best practices. The airline actively engages in airport authority roundtables and focus groups and rigorously complies with all regulatory documentation and reporting requirements, helping to build lasting trust and transparency with regulators and communities alike. -TradeArabia News Service