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How we manage noise
The balanced approach
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has developed the concept of a ”balanced approach” to aircraft noise management. This approach incorporates four key elements to the mitigation of noise levels at airports, which has been endorsed under the EU Directive 598/2014. This aligns with the UK Government policy on aviation noise, which can be found here.
- Reducing noise at source: Reduce the noise produced by the aircraft itself through continual design and engineering improvements. Over the past 30 years efforts in this category have led to dramatic reductions in aircraft noise where newer aircraft are much quieter than their predecessors.
- Land-use planning and management: Support local and national Governments to manage land use around airports and under flight paths to limit the number of new residential properties built in areas exposed to aircraft noise.
- Noise abatement operating procedures: Encourage aircraft operators to fly their aircraft in the optimal low-noise configuration and work with air traffic control (ATC) to enable that configuration.
- Operating restrictions: Banning or limiting operations, this is the most difficult part of the balanced approach to implement as it has to align and operate within other Governmental restrictions.
How East Midlands Airport manages noise
Knowing where aircraft fly and how well they are complying with airport noise mitigation rules helps everyone to improve operations and keep the noise exposure to the absolute minimum. The airport is acknowledged as a noisy place, but steps can be taken to abate that noise as much as possible. Our noise strategy can be viewed here.
- Reducing noise at source: Encouraging airlines to operate modern, low noise aircraft.
- We currently operate a noisy aircraft penalty scheme which penalises aircraft which exceed published noise limits at night (between 23:00 and 07:00). Money raised from noisy aircraft penalties is donated to the East Midlands Airport Community Fund.
- Land-use planning and management: Regularly produce noise contours for use by Government Authorities to manage the planning process. These contours show the typical noise exposure for an average day over the year.
- We operate within an agreed planning condition set by North West Leicestershire District Council, so that our ‘night noise envelope’ (based on the 55dB LAeq 8-hour contour ) will not exceed an area of 16km2. The airport is operating well within this limit.
- Noise abatement operating procedures: Encourage aircraft operators to fly their aircraft in the optimal low-noise configuration and where appropriate monitoring compliance against these procedures with data reported as part of our regular reports.
- We have a target that 95% of arriving aircraft will perform a Continuous Descent Approach (CDA).
- Continue to promote the use of reduced engine taxi at the airport where it is practical and beneficial to do so.
- Continue to promote and report figures for: Continuous climb departures (CCDs) enable aircraft to keep climbing after take-off until they reach their cruise altitude. Continuous climbs can increase the height of the aircraft closer to the airport and make noise levels less audible.
- Continue to promote and report figures for: Track Keeping Performance. A noise preferential route (NPR) is one that directs an aircraft along an agreed route to avoid areas of population.
- Continue to promote: Intersection Departures at night-time. The departing aircraft begin their take-off roll part way down the runway. This procedure is used by aircraft departing Runway 27. It reduces noise in Kegworth by moving aircraft further away from the village.
- Operating restrictions: Where appropriate, the airport tracks compliance against the restrictions, which include night flight restrictions with compliance reported as part of our regular reports.
- East Midlands Airport prohibits airlines from scheduling and operating the noisiest aircraft types at night 23:00 – 07:00. These are classified as having a Quota Count (QC) of 4, 8 or 16. Any late running aircraft of these types are prohibited from operating during the night period, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as live stock or perishable cargo. Should these operations occur under exceptional circumstances, the operator would also pay a surcharge to the Airport Community Fund.
The Airport’s Noise Monitoring and Management System (ANOMS) is configured to analyse compliance with all of these procedures, providing data and analytics to airport staff. This data can be extremely useful to determine trends, identify non-compliant performance, and could inform future planning such as to engage directly with the airline to improve overall performance.
How we calculate overflight
How we calculate overflight
You can easily determine if an aircraft is overflying your area by looking at the tail. If you can see the tail, the chances are the aircraft is too far away from you to be counted in our statistics. The following two videos explain how you can determine overflight and how our system calculates location-specific data used on this website.
The grid
To be able to analyse the number of flights over an area around the airport, we have created a grid of identically sized, 1 kilometre by 1 kilometre squares. In total, the grid extends for 40nm (nautical miles) around the runway, ranging from certain identified towns and landmarks. 40nm is approximately the extent of our radar coverage and the data in our noise and track keeping system (ANOMS).
How we count the number of flights
We start by drawing a cone in the centre of each grid. Using the location that you provided when you entered the site, we determine the nearest cone to you.
Flights that pass through each cone are recorded and that data is presented on this website.
To ensure we capture as much overflight data as possible and to fully cover all locations in our grid, we have lowered the cone by 2,600 feet (800 metres) into the ground. This is to ensure that all locations within the 1km grid are captured by the cone that extends above. The cone extends up to 7,000 feet (2.1 kilometres) above local ground level and at the very top, the cone is over 5 kilometres wide. This is for indicative purposes only and therefore differs from the CAA methodology for calculating overflight, as used in support of the East Midlands Airport airspace change proposal.
Why we use a cone
We use a cone at a 48.5 degree angle because research undertaken by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) identified that a cone best aligns with how we determine if an aircraft has overflown a location or not.
The 48.5 degree angle of the cone was selected as it incorporates an evaluation of noise, in that if one aircraft flew directly above the observer, followed by a second aircraft off to the side along the 48.5 degree line, the second aircraft would be 3 decibels quieter than the first.
Where does the data come from?
All data used in our system comes directly from our Aircraft Noise and Operations Monitoring System (ANOMS), which receives flight data from Air Traffic Control radar.
How is aircraft noise generated?
What is aircraft noise, and how is it generated?
Noise from aircraft is generated from both the engines and the airframe, and examples of each are detailed below:
- Engine noise
- Combustion
- Engine parts such as the fan or propeller
- Exhaust
- Airflow around the aircraft’s frame
- Fuselage and wings (aircraft body)
- Landing gear
- Flaps and air brakes
Aircraft produce the most noise during take-off, when the engines are producing the most power and thrust to accelerate the aircraft down the runway. When an aircraft is on approach, it is slowing down to land and hence the engines will be producing less thrust and therefore less noise. Airframe noise will be more apparent during this phase of flight. Different aircraft will produce different noise levels depending on the size and weight of the aircraft and the engine type fitted.
What influences aircraft noise?
Aircraft noise experienced on the ground can vary depending on a number of factors including:
- The operation is an arrival, a departure, an overflight or a training flight
- Altitude
- Lateral distance
- Weather, including cloud cover and precipitation
- Wind strength and direction
Whilst these factors influence how noticeable noise is from an aircraft, our local surroundings can also influence how much, or how little aircraft noise we experience.
For example, if you live in a noisy area, potentially within a town or city, or close to a road, the background noise level from those sources is likely to mask the sound of aircraft noise. Conversely, in a quiet area the masking effect isn’t as present and the same aircraft is likely to be more noticeable.
It is important to note that annoyance is a personal experience, what might be annoying to one person may not be annoying to another. Despite this, the airport takes noise monitoring seriously and has an active program to monitor analyse and report on the aircraft and background noise level in the local community.
Has aircraft noise changed?
Modern aircraft produce far less noise than older aircraft, producing around 90% less noise than the aircraft which were operating in the 1960s. We are seeing a continual transition to more modern quieter aircraft, with the Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft being replaced with the Boeing 737-8200 Max. This is also apparent with Cargo operators, with new Boeing 777’s replacing older Boeing 747’s.
Take a look at our Noise Level Dashboard under the ‘Your Area’ heading to see how noise is recorded at our monitors.
Detailed dashboard for your area
Detailed dashboard for your area
This dashboard provides information about how regular and frequent flights are in your area as well as their altitude.
We also include information about what kind of aircraft they are by aircraft category. Where appropriate, overflights from other airports are shown.
There are many different classifications of different aircraft types. Examples of aircraft that you might see at East Midlands that fall under each category are:
- Jet: Boeing 737-800, Airbus A300, Boeing 777
- Turbo Propellor: ATR 72, de Havilland Dash 8
- Propellor: Cessna 152, Cessna F406
- Business Jet: Cessna 525 Citation, Gulfstream G650
- Regional Jet: Embraer E195, Airbus A220
Please note this is not an exhaustive list. Further aircraft information can be found here.
If you have changed your location, please refresh your web browser.
Contacting the Airport about noise
Whilst this portal and our flight tracking tools have been setup to help you investigate noise concerns yourself, we recognise that not all of your questions will be answered and are happy to take questions, enquiries or if you would like to make a complaint about an aircraft that caused a disturbance.
We provide an online tool (WebTrak) that enables you to see air traffic in the vicinity of East Midlands Airport. View WebTrak here.
You can also submit a noise complaint directly through our WebTrak system.
You can also submit questions, enquiries and complaints to us via a number of methods including:
You can report aircraft disturbance by filling out our online Noise Complaint Form, by emailing community@eastmidlandsairport.com or by using our automated complaint line on 0845 108 8540.
If you wish to write to us directly, our address is:
Flight Evaluation Unit
Pathfinder House
East Midlands Airport
Castle Donington
Derby
DE74 2SA
Once received, the airport will investigate your submission and respond in accordance with the established procedure.
How we engage
How we engage
We are proud of the role East Midlands Airport plays as a catalyst for the national and regional economy, helping drive tourism and cargo as well as and supporting jobs and business opportunities.
Working with our neighbours, local communities, colleagues, customers and on-site businesses is an important part of our approach to noise management.
We have a long-term commitment to make a positive difference to the quality of life in our local community. As part this commitment, we are dedicated to building and sustaining a positive dialogue with our neighbours: informing, involving, consulting and reporting back to them.
These groups include:
- East Midlands Airport Consultative Committee (EMACC). You can find more info on our website here.
- East Midlands Airport Parish Engagement Forum. If you would like your local parish council to be represented on the Parish Forum please email community@eastmidlandsairport.com.
- East Midlands Airport Youth Forum. You can find more information on our website here.
We regularly arrange and attend community outreach sessions where members of the public can come and talk to us about any issues or concerns they may have. These face-to-face outreach sessions take place each year in villages near to the airport. The events we will be attending are promoted on our website here as well as social media channels. Our attendance at events is also shared by stakeholders in the community.
The EMA Community Flyer is our quarterly e-newsletter, updating you on the initiatives we are committed to within our CSR Strategy – Creating a Sustainable future for all.
You can find our latest Community Flyer issues here and you can sign up to receive our quarterly Community Flyer directly to your email address here.
Additional community engagement is undertaken through:
- Community survey
- Website material, including the WebTrak Flight tracking system
A key part of our engagement program is this portal, which seeks to share information on our past and current operations transparently with the public. It is designed to be tailored to your local area to present detailed, localised information, as well as outline programs that engage and collaborate with the public on wider topics in their area.
How can you get involved?
You can get involved in a number of ways:
- Noise enquiries and complaints, If you were disturbed by a specific flight you can investigate this using the tools on this portal and by using our online flight tracking tool. You can also use this tool to submit an enquiry or complaint to us, we’ll investigate your complaint and respond in due course. Navigate to the ‘Contacting the Airport about noise’ page under the ‘Additional Information and FAQs’ heading for more information.
- Frequently Asked questions, we assembled our most common questions into a list available on this portal.
Our monitoring system
Environmental management and reporting is essential for sustainable airport operations. This allows the airport to understand it’s impact on the local environment and community and what can be done to manage and mitigate those potential impacts.
The system East Midlands Airport uses is called ANOMS, which stands for Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System. It is a complex solution featuring both hardware in the form of sound monitors, radar data collectors as well as advanced analytical tools.
ANOMS uses a number of fixed or temporary sound monitors in the local area, these are generally located under or near flight paths. The monitors detect and record the sound events 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to a central system.
You can find out more by watching this video:
Data collection and noise event detection
The system combines data from remote noise monitors deployed in the local community and in proximity to runways and flight paths. These run 24 hours a day 7 days a week, continuously collecting and sending noise data through to ANOMS, creating ‘noise events’ when the noise level rises above the background noise level and meets pre-set thresholds.
Flights are tracked using data direct from Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar systems, in effect it is the same data used by ATC to safety control aircraft in the sky. ANOMS uses this data to record the path flown by the aircraft and by identifying which noise monitors the aircraft flew close to and when. ANOMS then identifies which aircraft generated each of the noise events.
The process is complex and whilst it can identify noise events due to aircraft it can also identify events that were not generated by aircraft. These are known as community events and could be generated by birds, wind, vehicles on a road or even emergency vehicle sirens. In effect, any noise that we could hear on a day-to-day basis that isn’t generated by an aircraft.
By considering the aircraft and community noise, a detailed picture of the local soundscape can be built, allowing the airport to understand the potential impact of operations in the local community.
How the system is used
The ANOMS system is used by different stakeholders in the airport management structure:
- Our Flight Evaluation Unit team can view enquiries, complaints and submissions from the local community. Accessing the detailed data available within ANOMS to respond to the local community. This includes detailed weather and operational data to explore and analyse unusual operations.
- Operations teams can use the detailed reports to assess and continuously improve the airport
- Management can assess trends, determine performance and provide direction
In summary, the system allows us to quickly identify and analyse anything anomalous, and also monitor the day to day operations of the airport, presenting reports to management and the community. The historical data can then be used to plan for the future and improve operations, where possible.
How high are flights in my area?
How high are flights in my area?
The altitude of aircraft can vary due to a number of factors. It could depend on which airport the flight is going to or from, and whether it is an arrival or departure. Arrivals are typically following a steady descent to the runway whilst departures are typically following a steeper path as they climb away from the runway.
A core function of Air Traffic Control (ATC) is safety, and one of the primary ways in which this is achieved is by maintaining either horizontal or vertical distances between aircraft. This chart shows the height of aircraft overflying your area in 1,000ft increments. Hover your mouse over it for more figures and details. A dropdown menu allows you to view historical months for comparison and trends. The data is refreshed monthly, generally in the middle of the month.
How frequent are flights in my area?
How frequent are flights in my area?
There are a number of factors that influence the frequency of flights:
- The number and frequency of flights will vary on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis due to differences in airline schedules. The airlines schedule flights in response to consumer demand. This is particularly the case around holiday periods.
- The runway in use at any given time will also vary, largely due to the wind conditions. The runway can operate in an Easterly or Westerly direction. Each runway direction has its own set of flight paths, and each flight path will affect different areas. As the runway in use changes, the flight paths change, and so do the areas affected.
This chart displays the average number of flights per day of the month or per hour. Use the toggle to switch between the graphs. Hovering your mouse over the chart shows more details, with historical months available via the dropdown. The data is refreshed monthly, towards the middle of the month.
