Results of the NORAH study presented

_77A9872 (2)The results of the noise impact study NORAH (Noise-Related Annoyance, Cognition and Health), the most comprehensive investigation carried out so far on the effects of air, rail and road traffic on people, were presented to the public on 29 October in Frankfurt.

For almost five years the effects of sound on up to 27,000 participants have been investigated by nine scientific institutions. Research and professional institutions from the areas of medicine, psychology, social science, acoustics and physics joined forces to do so. The studies took place at Frankfurt airport, as well as at comparison sites in Cologne/Bonn, Berlin and Stuttgart. Never before have correlations been examined in such breadth and depth, said Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Executive Board of the Frankfurt Forum Airport and Region (FFR). NORAH is a milestone in noise impact research.

Over 2500 pages of report findings

The Consortium presented over 2500 pages of reports, which must now be thoroughly analyzed. The results so far can essentially be summarized as follows: Statistically, all three modes of transport have a significant effect on the risk of depression. There is no statistically verifiable relationship between aircraft noise and an increase in blood pressure and heart attacks or strokes. The reading and learning behaviour of primary school children is, however, significantly affected by aircraft noise. This newly available scientific evidence must be evaluated in detail over the coming weeks. During the press conference, Johann-Dietrich Wörner appealed for the results to be dealt with ‘very carefully’.

NORAH – Assignment and financing
The contracting authority of the NORAH study is the Environmental and Neighbourhood Establishment GmbH (UNH) in Kelsterbach, a subsidiary company of the State of Hesse. In addition to the State of Hesse, local authorities, Fraport, airline companies and the UNH contributed to the financing of the studies.

Airport and region forum
In 2008, the Hesse State Government decided to set up an airport and region forum (FFR), in which the dialogue between the region and the aviation industry can be continued. At the centre of the discussions was the impact of air traffic in the Rhine-Main region.

Last Flight of US Airways

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US Airways Airbus A319

It’s the end of the line for US Airways. The airline that started as a tiny airmail service 76 years ago is retiring as part of a 2013 merger with American Airlines. The final US Airways flight was scheduled to take off from Philadelphia on October 16th. It’s a small part of a huge trend that’s affecting how more than 660m domestic air travelers fly every year. Fourteen years ago, the United States had 10 major domestic airlines. Now, Continue reading “Last Flight of US Airways”

One more Triple Seven Freighter for Emirates

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Emirates 777F-Fleet. Photo: Emirates

Emirates freight division ,Emirates SkyCargo´ shortly welcomed the arrival of its newest Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft, bringing the total number of dedicated cargo aircraft in its fleet to 15, including two Boeing 747-400Fs and 13 Boeing 777Fs.

The 777F, which left the Boeing Manufacturing Facility in Everett, Washington, in Septem- ber, flew its first mission to Hong Kong. Since being introduced to the SkyCargo fleet in 2009, the airline’s 13 Boeing 777Fs have logged an 30,250 flights totalling more than 175,000 hours. “The Boeing 777F is the backbone of Continue reading “One more Triple Seven Freighter for Emirates”

,Auntie Ju´ becomes a ,flying memorial´

Junkers Ju52 der Deutschen Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung im Flug. Foto: Andy Jacobs / 07.1986 D10-13-189
The Junkers Ju52 of Deutsche  Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung.
Foto: Andy Jacobs / 07.1986
D10-13-189

It is one of the oldest passenger planes in the world still flying. Its many admirers at home and abroad lovingly call it “Tante Ju” (Auntie Ju) or more respectfully, the “Grande Dame of the skies”. Now the ”old-timer”, built in 1936 in the Junkers aircraft plant in Dessau has been honored as no passenger plane has ever been before. Being its first and only historic commercial aircraft, Lufthansa’s Ju 52 has been placed under protection by the Office of Historic Monuments of the Hamburg Cultural Authority.

The presentation of the official plaque signifying the Protection of Historic Monuments took place on August 22, 2015 at the Airport Days in Hamburg. At a ceremony attended by 50 distinguished guests, Continue reading “,Auntie Ju´ becomes a ,flying memorial´”

An inspection of the ‘Hushliner’

150804_Qatar_A350_015Qatar Airways, five-star airline and national carrier of the Gulf state of Qatar, invited media representatives to a breakfast and tour of one of their four (of 80 ordered) Airbus A350 XWBs during a transit stop in Frankfurt on 4 August.
Guests were cordially met by Frédéric Gossot, Qatar Manager Germany and Austria. The Gulf airline has been using its Airbus A350 XWB twice a day from Frankfurt since March. The aircraft is nicknamed ‘Hushliner’ due to its low noise levels.
15 January saw Qatar become the world’s first customer to ‘introduce’ the ‘environmental role model’ Airbus A350 XWB in Frankfurt. And not without reason. “We chose Frankfurt in order to demonstrate to Lufthansa the strength of its Gulf competitors”, Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker explained at the event earlier this year.
Continue reading “An inspection of the ‘Hushliner’”

Estonian Air supports Austrian Airlines

estonian_austrian_airlinesEstonian Air, the national airline of Estonia, IATA member and IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, has flown on behalf of Austrian Airlines since June with aircraft of the type Embraer 170 in the Austrian Group Airline network.

From 1 August a second aircraft will support the Austrians together with cockpit and cabin crew in the event of staff shortages occurring at short notice.
Continue reading “Estonian Air supports Austrian Airlines”

Passenger Experience of the Future

exotic-beachWhat will flying be like for passen- gers in 2025? Will conventional check-in have long become a thing of the past? These were just some of the topics discussed by representatives from the world of business, aviation and politics at Aviation Event 2015, which took place in the House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) in Frankfurt on 6 July.

Nuria Fermoso, IATA Manager for ‘Passenger Experience, Europe’, showed this video

to start off the podium discussion on the topic of ‘What is set to change soon for passengers before, during and after their journey?’ Passenger Experience of the Future.
Will what we see in the video be a reality in ten years’ time? Increasing digitalisation should make flying a relaxed and almost stress-free experience in the future. For example, there will be information Continue reading “Passenger Experience of the Future”

United Airlines to invest US$30m in Jetfuel from Waste

Employees load bags onto a Boeing 737-800 running on algae-based biofuel in Houston. Continental (owned by United Continental Holdings Inc.) flew the nation's first passenger jet powered by biofuels on Monday.
Employees load bags onto a Boeing 737-800 running on algae-based biofuel in Houston. Continental (owned by United Continental Holdings Inc.) flew the nation’s first passenger jet powered by biofuels on Monday.

United Continental said it has invested US$30m in alternative-energy provider Fulcrum BioEnergy in a move that could produce jet fuel from waste. Fulcrum, which is backed by Waste Management, converts household trash into renewable jet fuel.

It has tried to go public, but ended up scrapping its plans for an IPO. Its first alternative fuels plant will begin operation in 2017. United executive VP Brett Hart said investing in biofuel has “the potential to Continue reading “United Airlines to invest US$30m in Jetfuel from Waste”

Propulsive Fuselage: Adding an extra engine to reduce emissions

fuselageIn view of the aviation industry´s ambitious “Flightpath 2050” emissions targets, new approaches for propulsion system design and integration are required to further improve aircraft efficiency. One promising idea proposed by academia and industry is to distribute the power of a single core engine to two or even more fans.

This would increase the propulsive efficiency due to a larger total fan area while main- taining a moderate increase in fan diameter and weight. Generally referred to as “distributed propulsion”, this would open up new options for optimization such as Continue reading “Propulsive Fuselage: Adding an extra engine to reduce emissions”

Austrian Airlines: Uniform Tights and Shoes to Remain Red

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Ladiies in red – female Austrian Airlines Cabin Crewmembers love their red shoes and stockings

It is a strong signal: AUA uniform shoes and tights will remain red. 70 percent of the female employees in the Austrian Airlines cabin crew team entitled to vote have decided that their shoes and tights will also remain red in the future. This is the clear result of the uniform vote that has been causing a stir both at Austrian Airlines and in the Austrian press for several weeks.
The Austrian Airlines Employees have now decided to send out an additional signal and tomorrow, on Thursday 18th June, will therefore all wear red socks, tights or stockings in order to Continue reading “Austrian Airlines: Uniform Tights and Shoes to Remain Red”