Source: LAWA

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) declared nine airlines as winners of the inaugural LAX Fly Quieter Program, which recognizes efforts to reduce aircraft noise through voluntary operational and technical practices, as well as community engagement.

“The LAX Fly Quieter Program has strengthened the dialogue among LAWA, our airline partners and our neighbors to find solutions that recognize and address the impacts of aircraft noise on nearby communities,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “We thank our airline partners for taking proactive measures to help reduce aircraft noise, many of which involve the voluntary change of operational procedures that go beyond federal rules.”

The LAX Fly Quieter Program evaluated all airline operations at LAX across five scoring elements:

  • Aircraft noise levels as measured by monitors in residential communities
  • Noise level ratings of an airline’s fleet of aircraft at LAX as certified by the Federal Aviation Administration
  • The lowest number of early turns over communities during take-off
  • The lowest number of non-conforming easterly departures during nighttime hours between midnight and 6:30 a.m.
  • Compliance with the LAX nighttime maintenance engine run-up restriction

The LAX Fly Quieter Program offers airlines additional bonus points for voluntarily using noise-mitigating technology on aircraft and engaging with neighboring communities and stakeholders, such as participating in the LAX/Community Noise Roundtable.

Airlines were recognized within three categories based on the number of average daily operations (landings and take-offs) conducted at LAX.

The winners for each category are as follows:

Category 1 (50 or more average daily operations)

  • Gold – United Airlines
  • Silver – American Airlines
  • Bronze – Alaska Airlines

Category 2 (5-49 average daily operations)

  • Gold – Volaris
  • Silver – Spirit Airlines
  • Bronze – jetBlue

Category 3 (Four or fewer average daily operations)

  • Gold – Avianca
  • Silver – Nippon Cargo Airlines
  • Bronze – Interjet

The Fly Quieter Program began in January 2020 as an education and recognition program designed to encourage proactive efforts by airlines to fly as quietly as possible at LAX. While airports cannot impose mandatory aircraft noise limits, the Fly Quieter Program recognizes airlines for following LAX noise abatement procedures, using quieter aircraft and taking volunatry noise-reduction measures where feasible, by evaluating and scoring these efforts. The program is part of LAWA’s ongoing commitment to address community concerns about aircraft noise that may affect neighborhoods surrounding the airport.

Since the program began, four airlines have participated in LAX/Community Noise Roundtable meetings, providing valuable input and enhancing discussions addressing aircraft noise issues. Two airlines also were recognized for their voluntary programs to retrofit specific aircraft in their fleet with noise-reducing technologies.

More information about the program, including scoring methodologies and detailed descriptions, are listed as part of the LAX Fly Quieter Program 2020 Annual Report, which can be viewed here.