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Airport noise to stay steady

As the Victoria International Airport grows over the next 20 years, its master plan indicated little in the way of noise growth.
Devon MacKenzie/News staff
A jet takes off from the Victoria International Airport. The airport authority has long-term plans to find ways of bringing new carriers to the transportation hub.

As the Victoria International Airport grows over the next 20 years, its master plan indicated little in the way of corresponding noise growth.

Director of marketing and community relations Terry Stewart says there’s little increase in aircraft noise predicted between now to 2016. That’s due, in part, to advances in aircraft technology that make the engines more quiet, and the fact that Victoria operates mainly during the day. The airport has overnight parking areas for aircraft, which will be expanded in the future.

With adding new services and aircraft, however, he noted there will be marginal increases in noise — not including military aircraft activity and the noise from an older jet operated by Purolator.

Other noise from the airport, such as bird control air cannons, still occurs and Stewart said they have made timing changes to try to disturb their neighbours a little less. He added, however, safety is a top priority and the cannons will continue to be used to prevent bird strikes.