Since Dublin’s new North Runway opened on 24th August, there has been a large number of noise complaints from the North Co. Dublin area related to the new Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs). All departures off runway 28R take an immediate right turn after takeoff and flyover a number of communities including Kilsallaghan and Roganstown.
In December the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) commenced a review of operations on the North Runway when it was revealed that the new SIDs did not mirror the original noise modelling that was carried out as part of the original planning process.
Since it opened, there has been a staged approach to operational integration of the new runway which saw hours increasing from 0900-1300, to 0700-1300 and then to 1800. The runway is currently open until 1800 with further extensions to follow subject to the outcome of the ANCA review.
In a statement, daa said: “On commencement of operations, an issue regarding departure flight paths was identified which resulted in some local communities being unexpectedly overflown, for which daa sincerely apologises.”
“daa immediately started a review with the aim of satisfactorily resolving the issue as soon as possible. It is important to note that this issue did not have any impact on the safety of aircraft. The review process involved engagement and coordination with a number of the relevant stakeholders and it identified that some of the Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) were not aligned to modelling assumptions included in daa’s planning submissions.”
The revised SIDs were required to go through regulatory review and consent processes before they could be implemented. They have now been approved and will become operational on 23rd February, in line with the ICAO AIRAC cycle. Until then, existing SIDs will be used but there will continue to be no departures off North Runway before 0900 during that period. The new SIDs will result in flight paths aligning more closely with the information previously communicated by daa.
