Cebu Pacific News Archive

Cebu Pacific Certified Compliant with Strict Noise Reduction Standards

Cebu Pacific Air reiterated the airline's strict compliance with noise reduction standards set by the Air Transportation Office. The carrier likewise pointed out several of the measures it has undertaken to reduce the noise level caused by its fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-9 32.

“Cebu Pacific has always been conscious of its role as a responsible member of the community,” said Peggy Vera, Cebu Pacific VP for Corporate Planning and External Affairs. “The noise created by aircraft during the normal course of all airline operations has been a concern to us. On our end, we have implemented several programs to address this concern.”

Recently, a privileged speech by Lakas Rep. Eduardo Zialcita of Paranaque City complained that residents of Barangay Merville and nearby communities are suffering from noise pollution brought about by planes flying over these areas.

“The ATO mandates that all Stage II aircraft should be phased out, or be Stage III compliant by year 2006,” said Vera. “This will begin with 25% of the fleet by year 2003. We are in the process of preparing for this. In fact, the DC-9 that Cebu Pacific will introduce by September of this year will be Stage III compliant, having been equipped with hush kits.”

Hush kits, which will reduce noise levels, will cost the airline more than $2 million per aircraft. Installing the hush kit will convert the DC-9 from Stage II to Stage III.

In the meantime, the airline is fully complying with all ATO Noise Abatement Procedures, such as taking off from the international runway 06-24 instead of runway 13 from 8PM to 10AM , Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday. Likewise, the airline does not land on runway 31, which is very close to Merville and would entail flying low on the aircraft's final approach. It instead lands on runway 06-24.

“Taking off from runway 06-24 adds about 15 minutes of taxi time and increases costs by P 8 million a year,” Vera said.

“Upon take-off, part of the Noise Abatement Procedures is to climb to 1,500 feet as fast as safety permits before reducing power, and retracting flaps and slats at 3,000 feet and above,” Vera added. “These procedures are done by all our pilots.”

In addition, Cebu Pacific's administrative pilots have been communicating with the officers of Merville Homeowners Association regarding this long-standing noise issue. Ongoing noise regulations were threshed out in detail in these meetings.

“To address other concerns related to this issue, we actively participate in dialogue with the residents of the affected communities, conducted with the assistance of the ATO,” Vera added. “We take our social responsibility to heart, and this includes not only being sensitive to our passengers' needs, but to the needs of the entire community as well.”