**Why Takeoffs at Airports Are About to Become Noisier**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 24, 2025, 08:00 PM*
A recent study from the University of Reading has revealed that climate change could lead to increased noise pollution from departing airplanes around European airports. The research focuses on how rising air temperatures affect aircraft take-off patterns, finding that, on average, departing aircraft climb angles will decrease by 1-3%, with individual hot days potentially reducing these angles by as much as 7.5%.
**Potential Impact**
The study examined noise levels at 30 European airports. Dr. Jonny Williams, the lead author, warns that climate change could expose thousands more people in London to noise pollution from departing aircraft over the next three decades. Published in the journal *Aerospace*, the research used 10 different climate models to analyze noise levels, specifically looking at how climb angles of Airbus A320s—commonly used for short European flights—affect noise as the climate changes.
**Key Findings**
Currently, approximately 60,000 people live within the 50dB noise footprint of a typical A320 aircraft in central London. However, due to shifts in climate and population density, about 2,500 more people could be affected in the near future.
Dr. Williams highlights that the problem is intensified by different types of sound frequencies. Low-frequency noise, which travels farther, is expected to increase the most. Such deeper sounds can contribute to stress and sleep disturbances among affected populations.
**Future Challenges**
Despite ongoing advancements in engine technology, Dr. Williams warns that without concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rising temperatures will make managing airport noise increasingly difficult. This suggests that technological progress alone may not be enough to counteract the noise pollution challenges brought on by climate change.
As climate impacts grow, it is becoming essential to consider new strategies to mitigate noise pollution at airports to protect the health and well-being of surrounding communities.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/climate-change-could-worsen-noise-pollution-from-departing-aircraft-study/story
