Sunday 12 / May / 2024
Muscat: Aircraft noise can be disturbing to those who live around airports and is considered to be one of the most significant environmental concerns, affecting people living near airports.
The Civil Aviation Authority is aware of the concerns and is committed to reduce the noise in and around the Muscat International Airport.
Speaking to Al Shabiba radio, Hamed Al Barashdi, CAA’s director general of strategic planning, said that ‘authority considers it as a priority issue and is taking steps to reduce the noise around the airport’.
He said: “One of the measures would involve changing aircraft routes as we are aware that there is a problem of aircraft noise affecting the residential areas surrounding Muscat International Airport, in particular, Al Mawaleh area.”
“We have held consultations to address the issue and one of the options is diverting the planes’ landing path between 9 pm to 7 am. Exceptions have to be made in case of weather conditions that would require the aircraft to land through the normal route.”
Al Barashdi emphasised that the authority will spare no efforts in finding a solution to the aircraft noise that affects the residents in the surrounding areas.
He said: “Wide-bodied aircraft are prevented from landing in the evening times while we are also refurbishing the southern runway.”
Al Barashdi concluded “Controlling where planes fly during take-off and landing has an important impact on noise pollution. We are committed to reducing noise impact and the environmental concerns affecting population to ensure sustainability of commercial aviation.”
