Aircraft Noise Calculator

Yes, Canberra Airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no curfew restrictions. Over time, operations are expected to increase significantly as international and freight flights expand. Not only will there be more aircraft per hour, but larger planes will operate more frequently, especially at night. For more detailed information on this projected growth, you can refer to Chapter 5: Passenger Terminal Capacity and Aviation Growth (Page 58) in the Canberra Airport 2020 Master Plan.

There are several measures to describe aircraft noise, including information about flight paths and single event noise contours (N contours).

Arrival flight paths

Departure flight paths

Dash 8 300 RWY 30 arrival single event

B737 MAX single event

N Contours for Canberra Airport have been prepared in response to Guideline A of the National Airports Safeguarding Framework Measures for Managing Impacts of Aircraft Noise. The 2019 N contours are a representation of aircraft frequency (how often) and noise level, over time.

N Contour 60

N Contour 65

N Contour 70

The Canberra Airport 2019 Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) illustrates noise levels based on Australian Standard AS 2021:2015. Unlike N contours the ANEF contours are not a reflection of noise experience, but rather a set of contours based on an average of aircraft noise when the airport is at capacity.

ANEF 2019

Canberra Airport works closely with Airservices Australia to implement noise abatement measures. The key initiatives are the noise abatement areas established in 1996, and noise abatement procedures implemented between 1996 and 2016, for Canberra and Queanbeyan. Aircraft are required to fly at minimum altitudes to reduce the impact on the community.

Jet aircraft must not fly below 5,000ft (1,524m) and propeller-driven aircraft must stay above 3,000ft (914m) over noise abatement areas. This helps protect 99.5% of houses in Canberra and Queanbeyan from direct over-flight, except in emergencies or bad weather.

Those purchasing homes outside these areas need to be aware of the likely increase in noise exposure from aircraft and the future increase in flight movements.

Smart Tracking, also known as RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required), was introduced in 2005/06. It is a satellite-based navigation technology that allows aircraft to operate with greater accuracy and alerts the flight crew if the aircraft deviates from the planned route. Greater efficiency can be achieved by reducing track miles, fuel burn and emissions. The procedures allow increased precision for safe and predictable landings, including during inclement weather and low visibility conditions. RNP-AR has previously been referred to as ‘Smart Tracking’.

RNP-AR flight paths are available for Canberra Airport’s main runway 17/35 (oriented north-south) but can only be flown by aircraft that have been equipped with the required technology and where the flight crew have been authorised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to conduct RNP-AR operations. Until 2022, the RNP-AR flight paths into Canberra have only been used by jet aircraft.

QantasLink has updated its fleet of Dash 8 Q400 propeller-driven (turboprop) aircraft with RNP-AR technology, enabling them to be able to use the existing RNP-AR flight paths into Canberra Airport. Commencing on 8 September 2022, the existing RNP-AR flight paths will be used by a mix of both jet and turboprop aircraft, resulting in an increase to the number of flights using these flight paths. This change will not affect the total number of flights operating at Canberra Airport. There will be no changes to existing flight paths and no new areas will be overflown.

Further information about Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required can be found on airservicesaustralia.com

In late 2012, the NSW Government approved in part the rezoning of land at South Jerrabomberra residential development. The decision was made that residential development would not be permitted at South Jerrabomberra within the ANEF 20 contour, while development outside the ANEF 20 contour would require aircraft noise attenuation to comply with Table 3.3 of Australian Standard AS 2021:2015 – Indoor Design Sound Levels for Determination of Aircraft Noise Reduction.

All sales contracts for houses at South Jerrabomberra include the following legal clause:

The Vendor discloses that the Property is subjected to aircraft noise at any time by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week passenger, freight and defence aircraft flight operations arriving and departing Canberra Airport.  The frequency of aircraft movements and the size of aircraft are forecast to increase indefinitely into the future. It is the responsibility of landowners to noise attenuate their property to ensure their amenities as Canberra Airport will remain curfew-free.

• Uninterrupted Connectivity
  A curfew-free airport keeps Canberra linked to other cities and the world 24/7, supporting critical late-night and early-morning flights. This flexibility is crucial for industries that rely on rapid, dependable shipments to arrive by morning, allowing time-sensitive medical items, such as transplant organs, and urgent IT components to reach their destinations without delay.

• Local Economy & Jobs
  The continuous operation of Canberra Airport strengthens the local economy. A curfew-free status attracts international flights and the potential for a freight hub, stimulating job growth. With the consistent flow of goods - like daily newspapers, products, and mail parcels - Canberra Airport supports businesses and community needs alike. Ongoing collaborations with airlines are paving the way to expand these freight services further, creating more local jobs and economic opportunities.

• Community Convenience

Residents benefit directly from Canberra Airport's curfew-free status, which ensures that essential goods are delivered on time. From receiving fresh food and pharmaceuticals to daily mail and packages, the constant movement of flights supports the seamless functioning of daily life and commerce in the area.

Airservices Australia has an online tool that enables the community to see where aircraft fly and explore historical trends and patterns.  WebTrak uses information from air traffic control secondary surveillance radars to display aircraft movements within 50 kilometres of the airport and up to 30,000 feet above mean sea level.  Aircraft noise data is also displayed and collected daily from noise monitors strategically located around communities close to the airport.

Airservices Australia WebTrak

The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman (ANO) conducts independent reviews of Airservices Australia’s and Defence’s management of aircraft noise-related activities, including:

• the handling of complaints or enquiries made to Airservices Australia or Defence about aircraft noise;
• community consultation processes related to aircraft noise;
• the presentation and distribution of aircraft noise-related information.

The 2013 article The Truth About Aircraft Noise is informative.

For more information visit ano.gov.au

Airservices and Canberra Airport provide information that explains key issues related to aircraft noise.  This information is intended to provide information on topics that generate a number of enquiries.

Aircraft Noise

Noise Abatement Procedures

In 2013, members of the aviation and airport industry collaborated to release an aircraft noise information portal for the Australian community.

The Portal provides information about particular aircraft, airports and noise policies.  However, its intent is mainly to act as a hub where members of the community can find out more about the many facets of aircraft noise.

aircraftnoise.com.au

As a partner, Canberra Airport welcomes feedback about the Portal: info@canberraairport.com.au