Oral Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng to Parliamentary Question on Aircraft Noises at Seletar

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what additional noise abatement measures to counter low-flying aircraft noises coming from the nearby Seletar Airport can be put in place; 

b.     whether the height limit of the airspace over residential areas can be increased; and

c.     whether a different flight path can be given to aircraft landing at the airport so that they will not fly over housing estates especially in the middle of the night.

Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng:

1.     The actual flight paths of aircraft depend on the prevailing wind direction and wind speed. In the case of Seletar Airport, arriving and departing aircraft will sometimes fly over nearby residential estates because of the wind conditions around the airport. 

2.     The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is mindful of the noise pollution caused by overflying aircraft, and has several measures to reduce it. First, whenever wind conditions permit, CAAS proactively routes aircraft away from residential areas.

3.     Second, CAAS requires aircraft that overfly residential areas, such as those to the south and west of Seletar Airport, to operate at a height of at least 450m. CAAS has considered raising the height of flight paths. However, this would compromise the safety of aircraft because aircraft will have to ascend and descend at a steep incline.

4.     Third, CAAS prohibits training and freighter flights between 10pm and 7am at Seletar Airport, and allow only newer and quieter aircraft to operate within Singapore.