Aircraft and helicopter noise
Noise is unwanted sound and is considered as pollution under the Norwegian Pollution Control Act. Noise from airports is primarily caused by aircraft and helicopters during landing, take-off, and taxiing.
Avinor conducts regular noise mapping at all of its airports and monitors flight path usage at the larger airports. The company actively works to minimize noise exposure from aircraft and helicopter operations for residents living near the airports.
Aircraft noise exposure depends on aircraft type, traffic volume, runway usage, flight path selection, and the time distribution of air traffic throughout the day. Beyond noise mapping, Avinor’s most important tools for noise management are traffic control and the adjustment of arrival and departure procedures. Satellite-based flight procedures are an essential instrument in this context and will be increasingly applied in the years ahead. The most important measure to prevent increased noise exposure in residential areas is the use of noise zone maps, which illustrate the projected future noise situation. Municipalities are required to use these maps in their land-use planning, while Avinor, in turn, must assess municipal zoning plans in its own planning processes.
The introduction of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter for offshore transport has led to a significant increase in noise exposure at certain airports. Measures to mitigate this are a high priority, including the establishment of a national helicopter noise committee that brings together relevant stakeholders. The committee’s primary purpose is to share information and provide advice on the noise situation around affected airports, with the goal of identifying effective noise reduction measures.
In 2012, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) decided that the new F-35 fighter aircraft would be stationed at Ørland Air Base. Four of the aircraft are to be based at Evenes for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations and high readiness air defense. This decision effectively re-established Evenes as a permanent military air station.
It has been documented that the F-35 produces noise levels exceeding LpASmax 115 dBA in areas surrounding the terminal building during take-off, which the national zoning plan considers potentially harmful to hearing. These high noise levels occur during take-offs involving afterburner use. Avinor is working to implement measures that protect passengers, employees, and other airport visitors from noise levels that may cause hearing damage.