DENVER—Denver International Airport says 2008 was the first year in its 14-year history that it recorded no serious noise violations.
Before it opened, the airport reached a deal with Adams County that requires it to pay a $500,000 penalty to the county and some its cities each time aircraft noise exceeds a pre-established level.
The airport has since paid the jurisdictions more than $40 million for violations.
To reduce violations, DIA used a program that tries to avoid sending especially noisy aircraft, such as MD-80s, on takeoffs to the west. That routing puts the planes over populated areas and can lead to violations.
Mike McKee, DIA’s noise-abatement officer, says the airport also has refined its voluntary aircraft-routing system, and “fewer of the noisiest planes” are flying out of DIA.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
