Glasgow Airport has launched a plan for managing noise from planes over Clydebank and Drumchapel in the next five years - including new insulation for some residents.
A 13-week consultation will also propose fees to incentivise airlines to use quieter planes with a target of a 65 cut in “perceived noise” by 2050.
The airport also says its flight paths are not fit for purpose as they hope to modernise Glasgow airspace with new approaches around the west of Scotland.
But bosses said given how close Clydebank and Drumchapel are to the runway, there will be no changes to the paths planes take over the communities.
There are EU, UK and Scottish rules on noise but persistent complaints from residents in Whitecrook and Drumchapel regardless of regulations.
The noise consultation states: “Minimising and mitigating the adverse effects of noise is an integral part of how we operate and grow the airport responsibly.
“The airport has developed a package of measures over a number of years designed to minimise and mitigate the total adverse effects of noise.
“In updating our Noise Action Plan we are using the opportunity to take into account the latest research and policy on adverse effects of aviation noise.
"Our proposed updates and enhancements over and above our existing mitigation measures include: proposals for an arrival and departure route design that limits, and where possible, reduces noise impacts; and development of a noise insulation policy to mitigate noise for residents most affected by aircraft noise.”
Aircraft noise in the UK is calculated by a continuous sound level in decibels (dB) over 16 hours (7am to 11pm) to come up with a single daily figure.
The consultation maps a contour for noise at 63dB over that 16-hour period and estimated about 500 people, or 250 households on all sides of the airport are affected. Only a small fraction of Clydebank properties would fall into that contour map.
The airport said they would complete a noise insulation policy within 12 months with a view to adding insulation to that small number of homes.
The consultation also publishes an estimate of their total expenditure on noise each year as £124,262 - only £1,200 of that is expected fines for noise violations. The airport last year reported revenue of £112 million.
A map in the consultation showing the noise contours over Clydebank and Drumchapel
Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson told the Post: “This is the opportunity to engage with Glasgow Airport in order to influence their decisions for the future. I certainly will be and will highlight what can be done to assist those most affected by aircraft noise. I would encourage as many people as possible to express their concerns and wishes.”
A key element of the flightpath proposals involves removing ground-based navigation aids across the UK in favour of satellite navigation systems.
Ground navigation aids used by Glasgow Airport, which guide the aircraft to and from the airfield, will be decommissioned in 2019.
The move to satellite systems, supporters say, will help reduce the time planes queue in the air and on the ground and reduce overall CO2 and fuel emissions.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: ““Growing the most polluting form of transport for the benefit of wealthy frequent fliers is not a priority when bus and rail fares are going through the roof, hitting everyday commuters in the pocket.
"It’s hard to believe the airport’s claims that new routes will cut carbon emissions when their ultimate aim is continued expansion.
“The aviation industry’s claims about reducing its environmental impact tend to fall apart upon inspection, as we saw when the finance committee questioned the baseless assertions behind the proposal to cut Air Departure Tax.
“It’s vital that the voices of local communities in Glasgow and across the West of Scotland are heard, as they have to live with the noise and air pollution from aircraft.
"We’ve already seen Edinburgh Airport’s attempt to steamroller communities backfiring on them, so Glasgow would be wise to listen to residents’ concerns carefully.”
Visit glasgowairport.com/community/noise for details on the consultation or email napconsultation@glasgowairport.com.
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