Earlier it was reported that the EU is considering the introduction of a new directive of the European Parliament and the EU Council, tightening noise requirements for Russian aircraft by another five decibels, already in the second half of 2003. “If earlier it was about November, now they are talking about tightening measures from September 1,” said Yevgenia Konkol.
After the adoption of this directive, only Western aircraft operated by Russian airlines and 10 existing Russian latest-generation aircraft Tu-204/214 will be able to fly to Europe. The new EU document may ban flights to Europe of such aircraft as Tu-154M, Il-62M, An-124-100, An-72, An-74-2 and Yak-42D, as well as new Il-96. In total, about 154 Russian aircraft will have to be removed from international routes if airlines do not manage to carry out the necessary modifications.
On Russian Tu-154M airliners, whose flights to Europe were not previously restricted, the bulk of charter passenger flights to European destinations are currently operated. A ban on their flights to Europe could seriously affect the aviation and tourism markets, Yevgenia Konkol believes. At the same time, she expressed hope that the problem would be resolved through negotiations that are currently ongoing. The Russian side insists that the tightening of the standards be postponed.
The ban will apply to flights to European airports located close to city centers, as well as to all major airports where the annual number of takeoffs and landings exceeds 50,000. Russian aircraft can be modified to meet the new requirements by installing sound-absorbing panels. However, the cost of such work for one aircraft is estimated at about $100,000. Moreover, from 2006, after the introduction of the next noise restrictions, even modernized aircraft will no longer be allowed into Europe. Aviation experts believe that European bans will not affect air ticket prices, since the current level of tariffs is determined by competition among airlines.
Since April 1, 2002, EU countries have already banned flights to Europe of aircraft that do not meet the restrictions on the permissible noise level during takeoff and landing. At that time, a ban was introduced on flights of such aircraft widespread among Russian airlines as Tu-134, Tu-154, Il-86 and Il-76. It was assumed that the next environmental requirements would come into effect in Europe no earlier than 2006.