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Acoustics

Noise measurements

In recent years, Isavia has taken various measures to mitigate noise from flights at Keflavík Airport. An acoustic measurement system with one mobile and three fixed meters has been used in the neighbourhood of Keflavík Airport since 2017.

The acoustic measurement system linked to aircraft movements was installed at the same time as the meters. This allows residents, stakeholders and Isavia to monitor flights and noise measurements. One can also report nuisance noise that relates to individual aircraft movements. A link to the acoustic measuring system can be found on the Isavia website.

Last year, Isavia received 17 reports of noise and nuisance caused by air traffic, most of which were linked to passenger flights directly over residential areas or military flights.

aircraft

In 2017, Isavia hired the engineering firm Efla to produce a sound map for the airport based on the number of aircraft movements, aircraft types and location. The map shows the calculated 24-hour noise level (Lden) around Keflavík Airport. According to Efla’s mapping, there is no resident that suffers noise caused by air traffic which exceeds 64 dB but around 300 who are exposed to noise levels between 60–64 dB and 1,300 who are exposed to noise levels of 55–59 dB. This map can be seen on the website of the Environment Agency of Iceland.

An action plan to combat excessive noise levels to the year 2023 was approved following a consultation process and presentations. The plan was prepared in collaboration with Reykjanes Township and Vegagerðin (Icelandic Road Administration). This plan can be seen on the website of the Environment Agency of Iceland

Among the actions that Isavia embarked on was to adopt new flight routes for Keflavík Airport. These profiles were designed with the aim of minimising noise and nuisance caused by flight traffic at the airport. When controlling air traffic, Keflavík Airport strives to use those runways which cause the least nuisance for residents in the vicinity of the airport. This is implemented to the greatest extent possible, with due regard to safety and environmental factors, such as wind and runway conditions.

Continuous efforts are spent on monitoring noise measurements and ensuring that the rules of the airport as regards runway use and flights over residential areas are complied with.

There were 11 reports of nuisances caused by flight movements at Reykjavík Airport in 2020, mainly due to the aircraft start-ups.

The images below show a comparison of flight paths between years. The images are created from the acoustic measurement system and show a clear change in flight traffic above residential areas in Reykjanes. The amount of residential areas affected by flight traffic is greatly reduced.

Flight route over Reykjanes 2017 Flight routes over Reykjanes 2020

Our people

- collaboration is the key

Bjarni Tryggvason

Bjarni P. Tryggvason

Director Air Traffic Services, Keflavík Airport

Isavia monitors noise from air traffic, how is that information used?
With the monitoring of noise, we can better monitor sounds that carry from flights around Keflavík airport. Thus, we can trace what effect individual flights have on the surrounding environment and we can use that experience to develop the most convenient flight paths

and flight methods in collaboration with the users of the airport and the surrounding society. The system also allows people who are bothered by the air traffic to send in announcements regarding individual flights. They can use the system to locate the aircraft ‘s ID, flight altitude and can subsequently send in more specific announcements than before and that allows us to work with real data instead of unclear announcements.

What actions have been taken to reduce noise disturbance?
We have systematically been working towards the implementation of flight routes that aim to minimize flight over and close to residential areas as much as possible. The key to success is good cooperation with the surrounding area and those airlines who use the airport. The use of runways has also been completely revised so that flight over residential areas is only done when there is no other choice.

We also have a portable monitor that we have used to respond to complaints. Then we measure noise in the area in question and subsequently we can cooperate with residents and implement further actions if needed.

Have those actions been successful?
Our measurements show that flight paths around the airport are much clearer and more predictable in continuation of the implementation of these actions. Noise from aircrafts is inevitable when living close to an airport and it is the airport‘s role to try and minimize the disturbance as much as possible. The measurements and the actions that have been implemented have paid off. The users of the airport better understand the actions being taken to minimise the noise and the knowledge of people living close to the airport regarding what is normal and what is not has increased.