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The Aeronautical Noise Management Program at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport was developed in conjunction with its partners in the aviation sector and various levels of government. The primary intent of the program is to minimize noise impacts on surrounding residential areas, while protecting the economic benefits which a 24-hour airport provides.
The Noise Management Program consists of three major components: Abatement, Mitigation, and Monitoring.
Noise Abatement
The Noise Abatement Program is designed to control and reduce aircraft noise though the modification of standard aircraft operations or procedures. Working in tandem with this Program are Transport Canada regulations governing aircraft noise levels.
Noise Mitigation
Mitigation involves methods of reducing or minimizing noise disturbances through management efforts such as land use planning, Municipal bylaws and other cooperative efforts with local Municipalities.
Monitoring
Monitoring is intended to track trends and changes in reported disturbances in order to assess the effectiveness of the Noise Management Program.
Noise Management Measures: A History
The airport, under the name of Stevenson Airfield, has been operational since 1928, later renamed the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. By 1938, the airport was functioning in a manner similar to its operation today: servicing passenger, cargo, military and private aircraft 24 hours a day.
Changes in the layout of the airfield and the operation of the airport have been made over time. The runways were realigned in 1948 to their current layout, and the first jet aircraft arrived in 1955. In the 1960s, the passenger terminal was constructed, and the runways were expanded north and northwest to their current length. The airport remains a 24-hour facility reflecting its central location in the national airports system.
Airport planning in the 1970’s and early 1980’s took into consideration the impact of aircraft noise disturbance on Winnipeg residents. From 1989 onward, the airport has actively sought to manage aircraft noise by exploring the feasibility of alternative aircraft operating procedures in conjunction with the airlines, Nav Canada and Transport Canada. The airport has also worked with the City of Winnipeg and RM of Rosser to incorporate appropriate land use planning in the vicinity of the airport and along the flight paths.
Measuring the Success of Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport’s Noise Management Program
The percentage of noise reports to aircraft movements since 1994 has been small, trending below 0.25% for the last 17 years.
Aircraft Movement Reports
| Year | Total Noise Reports | Total Aircraft Movements | Reports per 1,000 Movements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 101 | 117,435 | 0.9 |
| 2009 | 91 | 128,594 | 0.8 |
| 2008 | 171 | 144,068 | 1.2 |
| 2007 | 158 | 151,793 | 1.0 |
| 2006 | 362 | 144,641 | 2.5 |
| 2005 | 238 | 137,787 | 1.7 |
| 2004 | 193 | 140,403 | 1.4 |
| 2003 | 354* | 152,086 | 2.3 |
| 2002 | 258 | 155,912 | 1.6 |
| 2001 | 186 | 152,950 | 0.8 |
| 2000 | 204 | 156,029 | 1.3 |
| 1999 | 176 | 156,527 | 1.1 |
| 1998 | 193 | 150,085 | 1.3 |
| 1997 | 206 | 155,193 | 1.3 |
| 1996 | 223 | 155,065 | 1.4 |
| 1995 | 340 | 156,002 | 2.2 |
| 1994 | 330 | 154,868 | 2.1 |
*Non-aircraft related reports such as wildlife scare tactics and City of Winnipeg mosquito spraying activities have been removed from the total reports received.
While air traffic has increased gradually over time, aircraft disturbance has decreased substantially. Aircraft technologies have improved and quieter aircraft - passenger, private, cargo and military, have come on line. Also contributing to improvements have been the modern Noise Abatement and Mitigation programs.
