Less Noise
Noise nuisance is an inevitable part of air travel. However, if we do not take appropriate measures, noise impact will continue to grow along with the airline industry. That is why KLM is taking measures to reduce noise wherever it can. We are doing so in close consultation with local residents and businesses, in view of the growth ambitions of our national airport, Schiphol.
Our fleet renewal program includes noise reduction measures. We are tackling this problem at the source – the aircraft itself. Quieter engines, winglets, and further structural modifications all help reduce noise. These measures are projected to reduce noise impact by 12%.
Combined Initiatives
But we are not only tackling noise at the source. Operational alternatives are also effective. These include taxiing on one less engine, night approaches over the North Sea, continuous descent approaches, and better flight logistics. Furthermore, we implement a variety of operational measures to reduce noise based on our dialogue with our surroundings, and we invest substantially in noise insulation projects in local residential areas.
Development at Schiphol
KLM has a dedicated website for Schiphol-related developments. It provides information about our environmental care system, proposals for improvement, and our dialogue with local bodies. The site also features information about operational measures relating to takeoffs and landings, and the utilization of runways and flight paths.
Trailblazing Experiments
KLM is the world’s first airline to develop a noise-abatement procedure in which departing Boeing 737s adopt a fixed-radius turn; that is, with a deviation of less than 100 metres from the flight path. Similar to other measures, the procedure will be tested in the flight simulator prior to introduction. Eventually, all aircraft types in the KLM fleet (with the exception of the Boeing 747) will be able to apply this climb-out procedure. Once it has been tested successfully between Hoofddorp and Nieuw-Vennep, the technique will be added to the Uithoorn route.
Dutch readers can find out more about the experiments on the Commissie Regionaal Overleg Schiphol (Schiphol Regional Review Board) website.
