An Italian Government decree is set to ban all night flights between 23:00 and 06:00 at Italian airports from early next year. Airports have six months to adapt to the new regulations, after which only special flights (government or emergency/medical flights) will be allowed during the banned period. There will also be special rules for postal flights and late-arriving passenger aircraft. Airlines and several airport companies are preparing for a legal battle against the decree, and it is possible a compromise may emerge. An exemption could be introduced, allowing regular night operations of "aircraft not producing more than 60dB within the airport area" (Stage 3 types). Delta Air Lines is to undertake the first major update for almost 30 years of its Terminal A at Boston Logan Airport. The development is part of the Massachusetts Port Authority's $1 billion modernisation of the airport. Ground has been broken at Billund Airport in Western Denmark for its new 40,500m2 terminal. The DKr850 million ($124.6 million) expansion will be completed in May 2002 and able to handle 4 million passengers annually - double the airport's existing capacity. A new 3,000m (9,800ft) taxiway and additional aircraft parking areas are also being built. The Japanese Ministry of Transport has decided to proceed with construction of a new runway at Tokyo Narita Airport. The new 2,180m-long runway, which will be parallel to the existing 4,000m runway, is due to open in May 2002. Airlines operating from Brussels are seeking to prevent the implementation of new noise restrictions covering aircraft which fly over the city when taking off or landing at Brussels Zaventem Airport. The legislation is being introduced by the Brussels regional government, and the airlines have appealed to Belgium's highest court to demand its withdrawal. The legislation introduces three geographical zones, each with increasing noise limits according to their distance from the airport.
Source: Flight International
