Push to end Adelaide airport night curfew

[Justin L]

This article from the Adelaide Advertiser:

Push to end Adelaide airport night curfew
Article from: The Advertiser

MILES KEMP
August 02, 2009 07:50pm

ADELAIDE Airport is lobbying the Federal Government to change its "archaic" curfew to allow more planes to land.

In a submission to the Government's current review of aviation policy, the airport argues it can bring in more aircraft with less noise. It also believes the curfew disadvantages South Australian business.

"AAL believes that the level of debate on aircraft noise has been insufficient to date," the submission states. "There is room to review the regulations to better relate the curfew to noise rather than types or numbers of flights."
Vote now: Should the airport curfew be relaxed?"

While accepting that it is "highly likely" the curfew will continue, AAL argues:

NO credit has been given to the industry for major reductions in aircraft engine noise.

FLIGHT paths could be changed and corridors narrowed.

AIRCRAFT tugs could be used to avoid ground-based engine noise.

The submission also states "the curfew is a major detrimental factor in this region (SA) securing the level of operations commensurate with the tonnage available to the economic advantage of Victoria".

Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan welcomed the submission and said there should be a public debate on the issue.

"Without enlightened debate ignorance will be piled on ignorance and nothing will change," he said.

In its submission, Tiger Airways states it is "disappointed at the rigid existing curfew arrangements" but accepts that some curfew will remain. Qantas also argues for a relaxation of restrictions if noise levels can be reduced.

Continuation of the existing curfew is supported in the West Torrens Council submission and that of the State Government.

In their submissions to the inquiry, the results of which will soon be released in a paper, Salisbury City Council called for a curfew at Parafield Airport, also operated by Adelaide Airport Limited, between 8pm and 9am.

[Jarden S]

Here in Cairns we are very lucky not to have a curfew, and our airport is open 24 hours. The flight paths to approach the runway travel a long way over built up areas 30 km. Some planes start there approach over Palm cove and go over all the Northern beach suburbs before they land at the airport. A lot of people want night time flights banned cause they can't get sleep I can understand that even my doctor talks to me about it. But for me its no problem I live a long way and I like it to stay open as it will restrict bussiness at airport if a curfew is brought in. We are a small regional center and we need evey flight we can get. I know if we had a curfew of say 11pm to 6am we would loose Continental straight away and probably the Jetstar flights from Japan as well.

[Anthony T]

Get rid of airport curfews in Australia, if you choose to live on the flight path to the airport, live with it.

Over the years since the the start of the Jet Age, the protesters have got louder, while the planes have got quieter.

Even third world cess pits around the the planet have realised aircraft arriving at 2AM are good for the local economy.

[Grant Smith]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

Even third world cess pits around the the planet have realised aircraft arriving at 2AM are good for the local economy.

Hahaha yeah tubbsy, like they have a massive say in whether there is a curfew or not

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

Get rid of airport curfews in Australia, if you choose to live on the flight path to the airport, live with it.

But what if someone moved in BEFORE a flight path was put over their property?

[Adrian B]

I have the ITVV BA Concorde DVD flying return Heathrow to JFK. The departure from JFK was on 31L which includes a major noise abatement procedure. For Concorde, a hard right turn starting at 100 feet approx 120 degrees. Makes great viewing.

I think airports, airliens and the community need to meet a middle ground for the benefit of the airlines, and for the community. Such a procedure is an example of this.

[Philip Argy]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

Get rid of airport curfews in Australia, if you choose to live on the flight path to the airport, live with it.

I choose to live under a flight path and have done so since the curfew was introduced in 1963. I have always loved plane spotting. But even chocaholics sleep!

The argument about living under a flight path is fallacious when it comes to removal of a curfew that has been in place for 46 years. Cairns has not had a curfew so the argument would be relevant there if people were calling for a curfew to be introduced.

Section 15 of the Sydney Airport Curfew Act allows prescribed low noise jet aircraft to operate during curfew hours. There's no reason newer low noise aircraft can't be added to the list if they qualify.

Like everything, there's a fair balance to be struck and those advocating extreme positions should be treated with caution.