Capacity and noise relationships for major hub airports

The conflicting goals of increasing capacity at an airport and reducing the noise exposure around that airport are examined. Basically, airport capacity is directly related to aircraft noise exposure such that an increase in capacity means an increase in the noise exposed area surrounding the airport. Several technological and operational noise reduction methods are discussed and it is shown that they can reduce the extent of exposure as capacity is increased. Using John F. Kennedy International Airport as an example, it is demonstrated that if these noise reduction methods are utilized, the capacity of this airport can be doubled and community noise exposure can be reduced below current levels.