EU to implement new aircraft noise rules as planned - European Union - Brief Article

Airline Industry Information, Feb 9, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

After failing to resolve noise regulation issues with the USA, the European Union (EU) has indicated that it will be implementing its new aircraft noise rules as planned from May.

A spokesperson for the EU said that the USA`s action of making a formal complaint about the regulation to the International Civil Aviation Organisation had prompted it to push ahead with the rules after it had previously indicated its willingness to postpone the implementation if the USA could prove it was serious about negotiating international noise standards.

The EU`s Transport Commissioner has apparently said though that the regulation may be postponed if the USA agreed to the development of a joint declaration stating what the possible contents of a new international standard on aircraft noise might include.

The EU law will ban all non-EU aircraft fitted with hushkits from EU airspace commencing 2002 not already operating, with a phase-out beginning in May - a rule that the USA claims discriminates against its aviation-related companies, such as Pratt & Whitney, BF Goodrich and Nordam according to Reuters.

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