SODPROPS (Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations) refers to a mode where one runway is used for departures over water and the other runway for arrivals over water. There are no flights arriving on or departing from the city-end of either runway. This is how the project was sold to us, and it is mentioned prominently in the 2007 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and in the community engagement âtalking pointsâ issued by Airservices to BAC. The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman confirmed in his 2021 report:
âMany complainants assert they were assured significant numbers of flights would occur over Moreton BayâŚâ (item 6.9)
Already back in 2020, BFPCA traced the mention of SODPROPS. It shows how Airservices first amended and then finally entirely removed any mention of SODPROPS from day-time operations at Brisbane Airport. Right from the start, BFPCA has called for SODPROPS to be re-instated as the number 1 priority mode and even tabled amended Noise Abatement Procedures together with an ATC performance expectation guide as part of our detailed PIR submission.
On 18 Sep 2024, BFPCA cautiously welcomed a Ministerial Direction from The Hon Catherine King MP, acknowledging the severe impact of aircraft noise on over 220 suburbs across Greater Brisbane. The directive orders Airservices Australia to extend the use of SODPROPS, prioritising over-water flights to reduce noise over residential areas. While this step acknowledges the communityâs distress, it falls short of fully reinstating SODPROPS as the preferred 24/7 operation mode, as initially promised.
While a significant achievement and concession by the government, BFPCA remains concerned that the Ministerâs directive will have limited impact due to operational constraints and the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. Recent data highlights that, between July and August 2024, only one daytime SODPROPS flight occurred compared to over 16,000 non-SODPROPS flights.
