Airservices is a government-owned corporation providing safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry. We manage air traffic operations for around 75 million passengers on more than three million flights every year.

Brisbane

Brisbane Airport has been identified as the first major airport for permanent implementation of Smart Tracking, with procedures becoming available from March 2012.

This follows a trial, known as the Brisbane Green Project, which successfully reduced the noise footprint of arriving aircraft and in some cases concentrated the low-altitude phase of flights over non-residential and industrial areas.  The project also resulted in substantial savings in greenhouse gas emissions of around 19,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year – the equivalent of taking nearly 5,000 cars off the road.

Catering for growth

The aircraft that most frequently fly into Brisbane are among the most modern in Australia. In response to public demand, the number of flights is forecast to grow by up to 50 per cent by 2020.

Smart Tracking will allow the industry to meet this demand in a sustainable way, ensuring air travel is safe, cleaner, and more dependable. It can also deliver better noise outcomes for communities living close to airports.

Airservices is working to make the trial in Brisbane permanent by early 2012. All Smart Tracking flight routes will remain within existing and longstanding flight corridors.

Introducing Smart Tracking

Four of the eight Smart Tracking arrival routes are over water. These routes account for two thirds of all flights into Brisbane.

There will be no noticeable short term change to operations at Brisbane Airport or in the use of different flight routes. Change will occur gradually over time.

Nearly half of all jet aircraft currently landing at Brisbane airport, including most Qantas and Jetstar flights, have been involved in the trial and sometimes use Smart Tracking. When the trial is made permanent they will continue to do so.

Over the next decade other airlines will gradually fly Smart Tracking approaches as they receive new aircraft, fit older aircraft with the technology, and train their pilots.

More information

Further information on the Smart Tracking project is available by phoning 1800 601 065.

Noise complaints or enquiries can be made through Airservices Noise Complaints and Information Service.