How we manage noise
Airports are noisy. All major airports run specialized noise management programs to offset and reduce the noise created by their routine operations. At Toronto Pearson, this program is reviewed every five years, and a new Noise Management Action Plan is issued.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s Noise Management Program is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management, which includes four principles: reduction of noise at source, land use planning and management, noise abatement operational procedures and operating restrictions.
Creating Our Plan
To create our plan, we asked industry experts for best practices, looked at the increasing demand for air travel, held community workshops and paneled residents. Steps we took in creating our plan:
- Reviewing the 2013-2017 Noise Management Action Plan
- Residents’ Reference Panel on Airport Growth and Noise Fairness
- Noise Management Program Best Practices Report
- Survey on Noise Fairness and Airport Growth
- 2017-2037 Toronto Pearson Master Plan
- Toronto Noise Mitigation Initiatives – 6 Ideas
- NAV CANADA Independent Toronto Airspace Noise Review
Values + Guiding Principles
Co-created with the community, these values and principles will guide our decisions and ensure that their voice is reflected in the choices we make.
- SAFETY
- GOVERNANCE
- TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS
- ENVIRONMENT
- HUMAN-CENTRED
- CONNECTIVITY
What’s inside our 2018-2022 Noise Management Action Plan?
Our new plan is based on ten commitments. These commitments will be fulfilled by working with the nine tools available to the GTAA to manage noise and communicate effectively.
- Quieter Fleet Incentive Program: Encouraging airlines to use quieter aircraft
- Night Flight Restrictions: Operational limitations and restrictions from 0030-0629
- Runway Usage: Programmed use of runways to provide periods of relief from noise
- Noise Abatement Procedures: Reducing noise on landing and take-off
- Land Use Planning: Management of land use near the airport, including noise insulation programs
- Noise Complaints: Process around complaints submitted, handled, analyzed and reported upon
- Communications, Outreach and Noise Committees: Processes of community engagement
- Noise Reporting and Metrics: How noise information and data from noise monitors is presented to the public
- Fly Quiet Program: Encourage airlines to adopt newer aircraft while flying existing aircraft in a quieter manner