summary
- The Port of Seattle has worked with EVA Air to switch late-night flights to quieter Boeing 787-10s instead of Boeing 777s and Boeing 747-400s.
- The Fly Quiet Awards encourage airlines to use quieter aircraft and adhere to noise abatement protocols, with Air Canada, Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines receiving the 2023 awards.
- The Port of Seattle has taken measures to reduce the impact of noise, such as limiting nighttime takeoffs from the runway closest to the area and encouraging airlines to use continuous taxis for takeoffs to limit reverse thrust. We are taking various measures to
Later in the report, Simple Flying explores how Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and its operator, the Port of Seattle, are working with airlines to be quieter neighbors. The port is working with airlines to encourage them to use quieter aircraft, especially when traveling to and from Southeast Asia.
Quieter takeoff at 02:10
Recently, authorities cooperated with EVA Air to operate a 2:10 a.m. flight from Seattle to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). The port used its noise monitoring program to contact EVA Air about its late-night performance. The airline will replace its late-night arrivals and late-night departures with the quieter Boeing 787-10s instead of the Boeing 777s previously operated by the 747.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flight
Thomas Fagerstrom, noise program manager for the Port of Seattle, told Simple Flying:
Our late-night noise limit program, for example, pointed out that EVA Air exceeded noise levels the most during the nighttime hours from midnight to 5am.
When asked about EVA Air’s response and aircraft change request, Fagerstrom said: “They were really nice” jointly. Fagerstrom noted that FedEx is also upgrading its fleet and is retiring the MD-11.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flight
Fagerstrom said one MD-11 will depart at 04:00 and will be replaced by a slightly quieter Boeing 767. Additionally, ports cannot regulate such things, but they can provide data and incentives to airlines.
Fly Quiet Award
One of the tools the Port of Seattle uses to encourage airlines to use quieter aircraft and fly quieter is the Fly Quiet Awards. Awards are determined based on several criteria, including:
- Noise levels during takeoff and landing
- Level of compliance with SEA noise abatement flight procedures
- Compliance with SEA ground maintenance engine start rules (-100 points per violation)
- Limit excess noise during midnight hours (-1 to -5 points per excess)
The 2023 annual FlyQuiet Awards will be presented to three airlines, two for performance and one for positive development. Air Canada and Frontier Airlines won performance awards thanks to Pratt & Whitney’s new GTF-powered aircraft.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flight
Alaska Airlines wins development award for third time thanks to fleet refresh with 737 MAX. The 737 MAX is an aircraft designed around a quieter LEAP engine that consumes nearly 15% less fuel than the typical Boeing 737-800.
As Fagerstrom told Simple Flying,
Alaska is modernizing its fleet fairly quickly with a very aggressive adoption of 737 MAX aircraft. These are quieter aircraft than previous generations, so we wanted to appreciate their efforts in modernizing the aircraft. …airlines making positive change are recognized with his Fly Quiet Award for the third time.
Other measures to reduce the effects of noise
There are other ways the Port of Seattle can work with airlines and the FAA to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on neighboring countries. One is to limit takeoffs at night from Runway 3, which is closest to the area.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flight
Another is to work with airlines to continuously taxi until takeoff, if possible, instead of waiting for the takeoff runway to clear. This way the noisiest part of takeoff is closer to the center of the airport rather than the edge.
Additionally, it is encouraged to limit the use of reverse thrust. Certain flight routes to help with noise abatement are also recommended within and outside of Southeast Asia.