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U.S. MANUFACTURERS SUPPORT RIGOROUS NOISE STANDARDS AT CAEP MEETING IN MONTREAL

January 8, 2001-WASHINGTON, D.C.- The International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) meets in Montreal today to develop recommendations for more stringent noise standards for commercial aircraft.

Airlines, airframe and engine manufacturers unanimously support a new noise standard for aircraft in production-- reducing noise 8 decibels from current standards. Industry's position is shared by the U.S. government and a number of other ICAO members. Prospects for a consensus on the standard appear likely, as European members of CAEP have indicated that they support the same range of noise reduction.

The aviation industry points to impressive reductions in the numbers of people exposed to aircraft noise in the last 20 years. The FAA has reported that the numbers of people exposed to aircraft noise in the U.S. has been reduced from 7 million in 1975 to 500,000 today.

AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass said that aircraft manufacturers need a fair and reasonable policy so that they can make long-term plans for the design and production of future aircraft. "Given the length of time it takes to design and launch a new aircraft, manufacturers and the airlines must know that the considerable investments made will be protected by policies that will not create a competitive disadvantage," he said.

The CAEP conference will make recommendations for stringency (noise) standards, to be reviewed by the ICAO Council in June 2001. The U.S. is a member of CAEP, the ICAO Council and the ICAO Assembly, and has a direct role in the ICAO process.

-AIA-

Matt Grimison, AIA
703-358-1076
matt.grimison@aia-aerospace.org

P.A. Rel. 2001-03

01.08.01