Dubai: Dubai Airports, which operates Dubai International the world's fourth busiest airport will ban older aircraft from October 31, as part of its plan to reduce noise pollution.
The Middle East's busiest airport that operates flights round the clock Wednesday announced two measures to contain noise.
First, it announced the phased withdrawal of older generation aircraft that do not conform to international noise and emission standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In a statement, Dubai Airport said: "ICAO classified Chapter 1 and 2 aircraft will be banned from operating cargo flights at Dubai International from October 31, 2010 and passenger flights effective March 27, 2011 consistent with the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) seasonal schedule change."
However, these aircraft will be allowed to continue operations at Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International airport until April 1, 2012.
"Limiting noise and emissions is critical to the long term sustainability of aviation," Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO, said.
"This is an incremental step forward in that process."
Second, it has undertaken a "silent airport" project that will curtail the number of public announcements made in all three terminals.
Dubai International is one of the few airports worldwide and the first in the Middle East to implement the "silent airport" concept.
"Over the past 10 months we have worked closely with our customer airlines to limit announcements to a maximum of two per flight," Griffiths said.
"As a result we have cut the number of daily announcements from over 2,000 across all three terminals to less than 700 with no impact on departure performance.
"If anything, passengers can now hear their flight announcements more clearly, and they certainly appreciate the quieter environment."
To ensure a smooth transition, Dubai Airports has enhanced the quality and presentation of data on flight information display screens located throughout the airport.
Airline and airport ‘May I Help You' staff are also actively reminding passengers to arrive at their departure gates on time.
