easyJet puts first slightly less noisy A320-neo into service at Luton – campaigners hope for more
Campaigners fighting to stop aircraft noise pollution above St Albans and Harpenden are calling for targets to be set for the introduction of quieter planes. easyJet, based at Luton, has introduced their first neo-engined A320 aircraft, which are a bit quieter than standard planes. Just one. The Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) is calling on airport operators to expand their roll-out of these aircraft to decrease noise pollution. LADACAN spokesman Andrew Lambourne said: “We welcome this long-awaited step, but let’s remember that we were promised quieter aircraft hand-in-hand with significant expansion. We’ve had much faster than anticipated expansion, so now we’re asking for an accelerated roll-out of these quieter aircraft, instead of continuing to add more of the noisiest types to the mix. … Meanwhile we are still calling on the airport operators to tighten their noise controls and raise the penalties for noisy flights as an added incentive to change.” While easyJet makes nice-sounding statements about reducing CO2 and noise impacts per flight, they plan to increase the number of flights as much as possible – negating any improvements. In May 2017, easyJet upsized orders for 30 A320neo with 186 seats to the larger capacity A321neo with 235 seats for growth at slot constrained airports.
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Luton Airport introduces quieter aircraft for routes over St Albans and Harpenden
17 June 2017
By Anne Suslak (Herts Advertiser)
Campaigners fighting to stop aircraft noise pollution above St Albans and Harpenden are calling for targets to be set for the introduction of quieter planes.
Luton Airport [that should read easyJet – the airport does not have any planes!] has introduced their first neo-engined A320 aircraft, which is much quieter than standard planes, and the Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) is calling on airport operators to expand their roll-out of these aircraft to decrease noise pollution.
LADACAN spokesman Andrew Lambourne said: “We welcome this long-awaited step, but let’s remember that we were promised quieter aircraft hand-in-hand with significant expansion.
“We’ve had much faster than anticipated expansion, so now we’re asking for an accelerated roll-out of these quieter aircraft, instead of continuing to add more of the noisiest types to the mix.
“Let’s hear details of proactive measures to attract quieter planes to Luton by way of reducing landing fees for quieter types and increasing fees for noisier types.
“Meanwhile we are still calling on the airport operators to tighten their noise controls and raise the penalties for noisy flights as an added incentive to change.”
The new plane, known as the Neo, will help reduce easyJet’s environmental footprint with 15 per cent improved fuel efficiency, a 15 per cent carbon dioxide emission reduction and a 50 per cent noise footprint reduction during the take-off and landing phases compared to the current generation A320 aircraft.
London Luton Airport operations director Neil Thompson said: “Our airline partners are already operating some of the newest and quietest aircraft in the skies and we’re delighted they are now introducing even quieter planes, earlier than anticipated.
“Working constructively with all of our partners and local communities we have the toughest noise control measures of any major UK airport and we look forward to the arrival of more of these quieter planes in the coming years.”
Carolyn McCall, easyJet chief executive, said: “The A320 neo is a major step change for our fleet efficiency and will provide a cost per seat saving of up to 7% over the current A320, which itself has a cost-saving benefit of up to 8% over the A319 and this benefit will enable easyJet to continue to offer our famous low fares helping to connect people across Europe for work and play. [ie. there will be even more passengers, and even more flights, and so even more noise ….]
“We strive to do this in the right way by reducing our carbon and noise impact on the environment and local communities.” [While at the same time expanding as fast as possible, and therefore increasing overall carbon emissions and overall noise …. AW comment].
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Easyjet gets its first Airbus A320neo
18.6.2017 (TradeArabia)
The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, is configured in a comfortable 186 seat layout. To mark the occasion and to distinguish the NEO fleet, the aircraft has a specially designed NEO logo on the fuselage. easyJet’s NEO fleet will be based out of London Luton Airport and operate its first commercial flights in June to Amsterdam, Madrid and Edinburgh.
From its first A320 Family delivery in 2003, easyJet has grown to operate Europe’s largest A320 Family fleet and is also Europe’s largest customer for the NEO. Environmentally, the NEO has significant benefits with a 15 percent reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions rising to 20 percent by 2020. The noise footprint is also reduced by 50 percent.
In May 2017, easyJet upsized orders for 30 A320neo with 186 seats to the larger capacity A321neo with 235 seats for growth at slot constrained airports. – TradeArabia News Service