Air N.Z. hits at protesters

Press, 25 January 1989, Page 30

Air N.Z. hits at protesters

PA Wellington Air New Zealand is keen to see a national noise standard based on scientific facts rather than the complaints of “small interest groups,” said an airline spokesman, Mr Ken Morton. Commenting on moves by the Residents’ Action Group to bring about restrictions on noisy aircraft, Mr Morton described the group as “well-meaning amateurs.” Air New Zealand’s rival, Ansett New Zealand, has announced having ordered five British Aero-spacel46-300 jets to be delivered from the end of this year. The new generation “whisper” jets are reputed to be quieter, and spokesmen for the group called for wider use of such technology. ■Mr Morton said there

were many more things that could be done to reduce noise rather than impose restrictions.

Local residents could put double glazing on their windows, for example. They should have weighed up the situation before they bought houses near the airport.

Air New Zealand wanted to adopt a better approach to the problem of noise, but there were “far more qualified” people to deal with it than city councillors, he said in an oblique reference to Cr Nic Dalton, who has been fighting to get noisy aircraft restricted at Wellington Airport, and curfew hours extended.

The Chapter 3 standard for noise-approved aircraft had not been adopted anywhere in the world, Mr Morton said. * 4