A COALITION of aviation representatives, including BAA Stansted, has today (Wednesday, October 7) launched an initiative to cut aircraft noise, emissions and improve local air quality at airports. The new Departures Code of Practice promotes how aircraft

A COALITION of aviation representatives, including BAA Stansted, has today (Wednesday, October 7) launched an initiative to cut aircraft noise, emissions and improve local air quality at airports.

The new Departures Code of Practice promotes how aircraft can taxi to and from the runway with less than all engines operating, leading to significant reductions in ground noise, CO2 and NOx emissions, depending on aircraft type and operator techniques.

Stansted Airport's head of environment, Dr Andy Jefferson, said: "It's really great news that a new interim departures code of practice has been agreed. I am delighted as we helped lead the trialling of this new technique here at Stansted, working very closely with easyJet, so it is very pleasing to see all our hard work coming to fruition."

Forward momentum

Mr Jefferson continued: "We have already enjoyed success with a similar collaborative approach when we developed and subsequently updated the arrivals code of practice, which has led to the introduction of continuous descent approaches at Stansted.

"I believe this next step will help build on that excellent work, maintain our forward momentum and is further evidence of our commitment to explore new and innovative ways to address the industry's environmental impacts.

"Also, we have now established the Stansted Aircraft Emissions Working Group which has been tasked to determine how the Stansted airlines might best use the recommendations made in this code of practice."

Invested billions

The Code has been produced by a group representing airlines, airports, air traffic control, the Civil Aviation Authority and ADS - the UK's aerospace, defence and security trade body.

EasyJet's pilot manager at Stansted, George Hutton, said: "EasyJet has invested billions in the latest technology to make sure that we operate one of the cleanest, youngest and most fuel efficient fleets in the industry - the average age of our aircraft is just 3.4 years.

"We've been working in collaboration with Stansted Airport's environment team for three years to explore noise and emissions saving strategies. As a result of this work, single-engine taxiing is now part of easyJet's Standard Operating Procedures almost everywhere we fly to.

"Airlines adopting this procedure could see reductions in ground emissions of up to 30 per cent and a taxi fuel saving of up to 40 per cent depending on aircraft type and operator techniques.