"Sydney airport criticised over noise curfew enforcement"

Friday, August 8, 2003

Sydney airport criticised over noise curfew enforcement
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation


The noise curfew at Sydney airport has been criticised after a Virgin Blue
flight was prevented from landing only seconds after the restriction
commenced.

The airline says the curfew had been imposed for about 14 seconds when the
flight was ordered to return to Melbourne just after 11:00pm AEST yesterday.

The company that controls Sydney's air space, Air Services Australia, has
defended its decision saying airlines are aware of the curfew and its rules.

Virgin Blue risked a fine of up to $500,000 if it broke the curfew.

One passenger, Ben Huie, says passengers were severely inconvenienced.

"It's really quite ridiculous when you're talking about seconds, I was
saying earlier there just has to be some measure of flexibility," he said.


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