Complaints to the ANO tend to increase when new flight paths are implemented or community engagement is occurring. The first half of this year followed these normal trends, but the second half was more subdued due to the Federal election and associated caretaker period limiting Airservices’ community engagement activities and governmental decision making.
Previous annual reports have noted the historical deficits of Airservices in the engagement of the community in the design and implementation of flight paths. Flight path design occurred with no input from impacted communities and community engagement was a secondary matter that was circumscribed by the design rather than informing it.
Last year’s Annual Report noted the historical failure of Airservices to adequately engage with the impacted community prior to the implementation of new flight paths. Brisbane was the latest example and it continued to dominate complaints to the ANO through this year.
Complaints to the ANO surge when new flight paths are implemented. This occurred following flight path changes at Perth, Hobart, and the Sunshine Coast airports. Historically high numbers of complaints were received last year and this year due to new flight paths in Brisbane.
This has been another year of significant change and challenge for the office of the ANO.
This has been a year of substantial change for the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman (ANO).