Airlines renew push on curfew overhaul

[Greg McDonald]

Airlines are renewing their push for an overhaul of the Sydney airport curfew as the federal government prepares to release its aviation green paper.

The paper is expected in the coming weeks following release of an issues paper in April this year by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese.

While there is plenty the major airlines disagree on, one area of agreement is on the need for a serious review of the curfew on the nation's busiest airport.

"The jet curfew was first introduced at Sydney in 1963. So while science and technology has moved, the regulations haven't," Singapore Airlines spokeswoman Diana Stainlay said.

One of the main arguments promoted by the airlines is the drop in noise that is part of the latest generation of passenger planes.

"The noise footprint of one of our A380s on takeoff and landing is about half that of the Boeing 747-400 series and generally each new generation of aircraft is about 50 per cent quieter than the previous one," Ms Stainlay said.

Qantas, in its submission to the green paper, described curfews as "artificial capacity constraints".

The flying kangaroo recommended the government "review alternative mechanisms to curfews for those airports in Australia that currently have curfew restrictions".

It also said the government should "not introduce any new or additional curfews or artificial airport constraints".

For Mr Albanese, any change to the curfew risks a very direct electoral backlash.

His inner-Sydney seat of Grayndler sits under flight paths.

Curfews operate at four airports: Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide and Coolangatta.

Sydney's curfew operates from 11pm to 6am.

Virgin Blue, in its submission, called for greater detail about airport noise to be given to those considering buying a house under a flight path.

"We believe the government needs to also send a clear message to potential purchasers of land and houses in the vicinity of airports, that the government will not intervene or impose restrictions on airports or airport users because of noise generated through the normal operation and growth activities of the airport."