THE UK HAS GRANTED waivers from European noise restrictions to 24 (mostly freight) airlines operating Stage 2 aircraft to the UK. A further three applications have been refused. The waiver is effective from 12 August-31 March 1996, and will be reviewed annually until the final ban of all such aircraft in 2002.
The vast majority of exemptions were approved under European phase-out rules, says the UK Civil Aviation Authority, with only a few being accepted on the grounds of economic hardship.
Stage 2 aircraft flown into the UK include Boeing 707s, Douglas DC-8s and Boeing 727s. One of the problems airlines face is that no Stage 3 hushkits are yet available for the 707 and DC-8-50 Series.
Source: Flight International