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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 29):
Question:
In reply to my question at the Council meeting on April 16, 2008, the Government indicated that the Civil Aviation Department had, since October 1998, implemented a series of aircraft noise mitigating measures to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on the communities near the flight paths (e.g. to avoid aircraft overflying densely populated areas in the early hours, arrangements were made for flights departing Hong Kong between 11pm and 7am to use the southbound route via the West Lamma Channel as far as possible, while flights arriving in Hong Kong between midnight and 7 am were directed to land from the waters southwest of the airport). However, I have learnt that up till now aircraft noise during the above hours still often causes nuisance to residents of many housing estates, making it difficult for them to fall asleep. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the data, recorded by various noise monitoring terminals last year, on aircraft noise levels which reached 70 to 74, 75 to 79, and up to or over 80 decibels ("dB") during the above hours;
(b) of the types of aircraft the noise levels of which reached 80dB or above last year and their operating airline companies; and
(c) whether the existing aircraft noise mitigating measures will be enhanced further to reduce the nuisance caused to residents; if so, of the details?
Reply:
President,
(a) At present, there are 16 noise monitoring terminals in Hong Kong. The required noise events recorded at these terminals in 2008 are set out at Annex 1.
(b) The types of aircraft with noise events exceeding 80 dB in 2008 and the operating airlines concerned are set out at Annex 2.
(c) Without affecting flight safety and air traffic operation, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has since October 1998 implemented a series of noise mitigating measures to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on the areas near the flight paths. Such measures, apart from those mentioned in the question, include:
(i) to reduce the aircraft noise impact on Tsing Lung Tau, Sham Tseng and Ma Wan, all aircraft taking off towards the northeast of the airport are required to follow the noise abatement departure procedures prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization to reach a higher altitude within a shorter distance;
(ii) aircraft approaching from the northeast between 11pm and 7am adopt the Continuous Descent Approach when landing to reduce aircraft noise impact on Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung and Ma On Shan; and
(iii) with effect from July 2002, CAD has banned all aircraft which has a higher noise level, as defined in Chapter 2 of Volume I, Part II of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, from landing and taking off in Hong Kong.
Regarding the noise mitigating measure mentioned in the question which requires departing flights to use the southbound route via the West Lamma Channel as far as possible during night time, Ma Wan residents have proposed bringing forward the south turn of aircraft to reduce the noise impact on Ma Wan. Since the proposal involves considerations on flight safety, landing and take-off procedures, efficiency of air traffic control as well as the effect on different models of aircraft and the current aircraft intrusion limitations, its feasibility can only be confirmed after careful examination and consideration of the various relevant factors. CAD is studying the impact of this proposal and the study is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Moreover, CAD will continue to monitor the use of the flight paths of aircraft landing at and departing from the airport and the aircraft noise impact through the Aircraft Noise and Flight Track Monitoring System. It will also closely monitor international aviation technological developments and consider all possible measures to further mitigate aircraft noise.
Ends/Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:01
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