Aberdeen Airport has kicked off a noise insulation consultation scheme – as part of a commitment to operating the airport in a responsible and sustainable way.

Details of the proposed scheme are being outlined in a public consultation which is being sent to communities affected by living near the airport flight path.

This will apply to residential properties that lie within what is called the ‘66 decibel contour’, a measurement of noise set out by the UK air regulator the Civil Aviation Authority.

By using this measurement, Aberdeen Airport’s scheme falls into line with similar ones already in place at airports including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Gatwick.

Recent studies by the CAA have shown that Aberdeen’s noise footprint has shrunk in recent years. That can be attributed to a number of features including local noise monitoring, noise limits imposed for day and night flying, fines for airlines who breach these limits, and a new generation of quieter aircraft.

This consultation scheme allows local residents who live within the CAA’s recommended boundary to apply for the total cost of installing secondary glazing to existing windows OR 50% towards the cost of installing standard double-glazed PVCu replacements windows OR 50% towards the cost of high spec replacement windows specifically designed to minimise noise impacts.

A clause has also been put into the consultation that would allow those with high standard windows to apply for other forms of noise insulation. Full details of the scheme can be found at www.aberdeenairport.com.

The project has been phased to include residential properties in the affected areas over a period of years, with those most affected being addressed first. Residents were brought up to speed on the scheme late last week when it got underway and so far the feedback has been positive.

Aberdeen Airport Managing Director Kevin Brown said “We are particularly proud of our city and our airport. However with that pride comes a sense of responsibility.

“So long as people want to fly there will be a degree of noise from aircraft. We cannot make the noise go away altogether but we are showing our commitment to taking action where it can minimise the effects on our neighbours.”

The consultation scheme is open until the end of June, with the proposed phased project running until 2012.

To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links.

bmi press release:

bmi, British Midland International, is flying its full international schedule today (Thursday 22 April) – the first British airline to achieve this, just one day after UK airspace reopened.

The airline, the second largest carrier at London Heathrow, is also operating additional flights to and from key Middle East destinations to help repatriate stranded customers.

The majority of bmi’s UK and Ireland flight programme will operate today. Flights between London Heathrow and all bmi’s UK and Ireland destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester) will help UK customers and businesses get back to business as usual. bmi was the first airline to restore flights between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and UK mainland yesterday.

The airline will be operating its normal schedule tomorrow (Friday 23 April) and over the weekend.

bmi restarted its flights yesterday morning, with the departure of a flight from London Heathrow to Cairo. More than 60 flights were operated yesterday, bringing a substantial number of customers home.

Safety is, and continues to be, bmi’s number one priority and the planned schedules may be subject to change. Customers are advised to check their individual flight status at www.flybmi.com before leaving for the airport.

Customers whose flights were cancelled in the last seven days should contact bmi’s call centre to rebook their flights on 0844 8484 888 (UK) or (01) 4073036 (Ireland). Customers whose flights were cancelled are entitled to a full refund or can rebook within three weeks of original departure date, for travel within two months. Normal refund conditions apply.

In addition any customers travelling between London Heathrow and Middle East, African and Russia/CIS destinations in the next seven days can defer their flights at no extra charge to free up seats for stranded customers. Customers on these routes wishing to change their flights can rebook to the same destination, with outbound travel to commence by Friday 21 May 2010. Normal refund conditions apply.

Finally bmi, British Midland International, would like to thank all its customers for their patience over the last eight days and looks forward to welcoming them back onboard.

bmi, British Midland International, is increasing its flights out of London Heathrow today (Thursday 22 April), with more than 90 per cent of international flights and 50 per cent of domestic flights due to operate.

bmi resumed its services out of London Heathrow yesterday morning when the BD771 departed at 0947 for Cairo. This was the first flight since the cloud of volcanic ash started to affect UK airspace a week ago. A phased reintroduction of international and domestic flights has followed throughout today, with 60 per cent of the usual number of flights operating.

Safety is, and continues to be, bmi’s number one priority and the planned schedule for Thursday 22 April may be subject to change throughout the day so customers are advised to check their individual flight status on our website, flybmi.com, before leaving for the airport.

Customers should only travel to the airport if they have a confirmed flight booking. Customers whose flights were cancelled in the last seven days should contact bmi’s call centre to rebook their flights on 0844 8484 888 (UK) or (01) 4073036 (Ireland). Customers whose flights were cancelled are entitled to a full refund or can rebook within three weeks of original departure date, for travel within two months. Normal refund conditions apply.

In addition any customers travelling between London Heathrow and Middle East, African and Russia/CIS destinations in the next seven days can defer their flights at no extra charge to free up seats for stranded customers. Customers on these routes wishing to change their flights can rebook to the same destination, with outbound travel to commence by Friday 21 May 2010. Normal refund conditions apply.

Finally bmi, British Midland International, would like to thank all its customers for their patience over the last seven days and looks forward to welcoming them back onboard.

Statement received from bmi

Statement 13 21 April 2010 0100 BST UPDATE

bmi plans to operate flights from 09:00 (UK time) on Wednesday 21 April

bmi, British Midland International, plans a phased reintroduction of its international and domestic flights to and from London Heathrow, following the reopening of UK airspace by the aviation authorities last night. Safety is, and continues to be, bmi’s number one priority and the planned schedule for Wednesday 21 April may be subject to change throughout the day so customers are advised to check their individual flight status on our website, flybmi.com, before leaving for the airport.

bmi plans to operate flights between London Heathrow and all its UK and Ireland destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester) to help UK customers and businesses get back to business as usual. A reduced schedule will operate on Wednesday 21 April, while additional aircraft are sent to international destinations to rescue stranded customers.

bmi regional plans to operate regional services between Edinburgh-Aberdeen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Leeds Bradford and Manchester; as well as services between Aberdeen-Birmingham, Manchester and Norwich; and Brussels-East Midlands and Leeds Bradford; and Glasgow-Leeds.

Internationally bmi plans to operate flights between London Heathrow and Addis Ababa, Amman, Baku, Beirut, Berlin, Cairo, Damascus, Freetown, Hannover, Jeddah, Moscow, Riyadh, Tbilisi, Tehran, Vienna and Yerevan. While some flights will operate outside the usual schedule, bmi hopes to operate 75% of its international flights to normal schedule.

Customers should only travel to the airport if they have a confirmed flight booking. Customers whose flights were cancelled in the last six days should contact bmi’s call centre to rebook their flights on 0844 8484 888 (UK) or (01) 4073036 (Ireland). Customers whose flights were cancelled are entitled to a full refund or can rebook within three weeks of original departure date, for travel within two months. Normal refund conditions apply.

In addition any customers travelling between London Heathrow and Middle East, African and Russia/CIS destinations in the next seven days can defer their flights at no extra charge to free up seats for stranded customers. Customers on these routes wishing to change their flights can rebook to the same destination, with outbound travel to commence by Friday 21 May 2010. Normal refund conditions apply.

Finally bmi, British Midland International, would like to thank all its customers for their patience over the last six days and looks forward to welcoming them back onboard.

To search for and compare Heathrow airport parking and Heathrow airport hotels click on the links.

Scottish airspace reopened at 7:00 this morning, however, this is expected to be a small window of opportunity for flights as the volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK.

A limited number of Scottish flights are operating and passengers are being advised to check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport.

NATS is advising that the restrictions on UK controlled airspace will remain in place until 07:00 tomorrow, 20 April 2010.

However, based on current ash levels, and no further ‘significant ash emissions’, NATS is predicting that from 07:00 20 April, Scottish airspace and South to a line between Teesside and Blackpool will reopen.

A further announcement is expected at 21:00 today.

Due to the volcanic ash cloud UK controlled airspace is to remain closed until at least 01:00 hours on Tuesday 20 April (local time).

The next update on restrictions is expected around 15:00 hours today.

British Airways has announced it is to increase its flight schedules for the second period of strike action that is scheduled to take place from 27 – 30 March.

Gatwick
The airline now plans to run a full service from Gatwick using its own aircraft.

Heathrow
BA aims to operate up to 55 % of its shorthaul and 70% of its longhaul flights. BA will be hiring in up to 11 aircraft each day with their own pilots and cabin crew to supplement services

London City Airport
Flights to and from London City Airport will be unaffected by strike action

Subsidiary, franchise, alliance and codeshare flights
All flights operated by subsidiary, franchise, alliance and codeshare partners will operate.

For more information on BA’s flight schedule and to check the status of your flight go to www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot/public/en_gb?refevent=HOME_URGENT_CENTRE

Flybe has announced it is increasing capacity and flights on a number of key routes from Gatwick and Southampton airports to assist BA passengers uncertain if their flights will be affected by the proposed strike action.

The airline has announced it will operate 262 flights across 10 routes to and from London Gatwick including seven a day to Jersey; four a day to Newcastle and three a day to Aberdeen and Dusseldorf during the strike.

To book Gatwick meet and greet and Gatwick taxi transfers click on the links.

Eastern Airways is to make changes to its scheduling of flights between Aberdeen Airport and Bergen.

From Monday 29 March 2010, weekday morning services from Aberdeen will depart at 08:40 arriving in Bergen at 11:10. Return flights will depart Bergen at 14:40 arriving in Aberdeen at 15:10 (all local times).

Graeme Ross, Eastern Airways’ Scotland director, said: “We’re now in a position to offer the 8.40am morning departure from Aberdeen and a new afternoon timing from Bergen, which are both non-stop services.

“These adjustments will not only offer greater convenience and flexibility for those travelling directly, but will also provide additional onward connectivity in both directions through Aberdeen.

Sunday flights depart Aberdeen at 15:00 arriving in Norway at 18:10. From Bergen, Sunday flights depart at 18.40 and arrive in Aberdeen at 19.50 (all local times).

To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links.