TIACA CALLS FOR CHANGES TO NOISE LEGISLATION

TIACA CALLS FOR CHANGES TO NOISE LEGISLATION    The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said it welcomes the European Union’s decision to withdraw noise legislation that would have banned some aircraft in Europe.
   The EU will now allow aircraft fitted with hush-kits to continue operation. Previously, the EU argued that such modifications were insufficient for noise level reduction to meet the required Stage 3 levels imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
   Larry Coyne, TIACA’s president, said the association applauds the EU’s decision, but that TIACA was campaigning on behalf of the cargo industry for a “more measured and practical approach” to the issue of noise control, while highlighting inconsistencies in the original policy.
   “We welcome the EU’s decision but the changes still do not go far enough to protect many cargo operators,” Coyne said in a statement. “We have actively supported the campaign to save the IL-76 freighter that, without hush-kits, will be grounded in the second quarter of 2002. This aircraft provides a vital lifeline to communities, relief agencies and businesses and has no viable, quieter successor.”
   Coyne added that there are no hush-kits available for the IL-76. “We want the EU to recognize this fact and provide the additional time needed to protect the long-term future of the aircraft,” he said.
   TIACA argued that noise should be an airport-specific issue based on local population numbers and the value of services by older aircraft to the communities being served. At its meeting in Montreal this October, ICAO agreed to approach the issue on an airport-by-airport basis.