Brisbane Airport Noise Abatement Procedure Overview

A Noise Abatement Procedure (NAP) is a procedure designed to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on the community.

Airservices Australia has the following published NAPs at Brisbane airport:

  1. Preferred Runway Operations
  2. Runway 19 Left and Right Jet Departures
  3. Intersection Departures
  4. Preferred Flight Paths (arrivals/departures) Part 1 Part 2
  5. Landing – Use of Reverse Thrust
  6. Training Flights

Reporting is available for:

  1. Preferred Runway Operations Report
  2. SODPROPS usage Report
  3. Preferred Flight Paths (arrivals) Report
  4. Preferred Flight Paths (departures) Report

It is important to note that NAPs are not mandatory; ATC and pilots apply the NAPs whenever possible. The published NAPs at Brisbane airport state that ATC will maximise the use of preferred flight paths and over-water operations. Pilots and ATC will determine when critical operational requirements override the use of NAPs.

The below overview provides monthly movement numbers, runway end usage, and the types of aircraft operating at Brisbane airport.

Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) Report

SODPROPS mode is prioritised for use where weather and traffic conditions allow.

The following conditions must be met:

  • Dry runway
  • Less than 5 knot tailwind
  • Cloud base not below 2,500 ft (762 metres)
  • 8 km visibility
  • Low traffic levels

SODPROPS mode is most likely to be used during the following hours:

  • 9pm to 6am six days a week
  • 6am to 8am Saturday and Sunday mornings
  • 12noon Saturday to 4pm Sunday

Select to view the Monthly, Daily, or Hourly SODPROPS usage reports below.

Airservices is currently working with operational staff to provide more detailed justifications for aircraft operations during periods of suitable criteria.

Brisbane Airport NAP 1: Preferred Runways Operations

This NAP lists the preferred runway operating modes during the daytime period (6am-10pm local) and night-time period (10pm-6am local):

During the daytime period (6am-10pm local):

Priority 1: Arriving and departing – Runways 19L/R (arriving over the waters of Moreton Bay and departing over Greater Brisbane)

Priority 2: Arriving and departing – Runways 01L/R (arriving over the Greater Brisbane and departing over the waters of Moreton Bay)

During the night-time period (10pm-6am local):

Priority 1: Arriving Runway 19R and departing Runway 01R (Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations, SODPROPS) (arriving and departing over the waters of Moreton Bay)

Priority 2: Arriving Runway 19L/R and departing Runway 01R (Reciprocal Runway Operations, RRO) (arriving and departing over the waters of Moreton Bay)

Priority 3: Arriving Runways 19L/R and departing Runway 19L (arriving on both runways over the waters of Moreton Bay and departing via the legacy runway over land)

Priority 4: Arriving Runway 01R and departing Runways 01L/R (arriving via the legacy runway over land and departing off both runways over the waters of Moreton Bay)

During night-time hours (10pm-6am local) operations over land via the new runway (19R departures/01L arrivals) are only permitted in emergency, loss of infrastructure, or extreme weather conditions. Any operations outside of these conditions require BAC approval.

The below report provides the percentage of each operating mode during daytime and night-time periods for each month. Click here to access the SODPROPs usage report.

The report is best viewed in full screen mode. For instructions on how to use this tool, select the Help button.

NAP 4: Preferred Flight Paths – Arrivals

This NAP lists the preferred arrival flight paths to be used by different aircraft at different times throughout the day.


(1) Aircraft Arriving on Runways 19L/R (arriving over the waters of Moreton Bay):

(1a) Between 6am-10pm local, all jet aircraft will not normally descend below 3000ft (914m) until east of the coastline.

(1b) Between 10pm-6am local, descent below 5000ft (1524m) is not permitted for all jet aircraft until east of the coastline.

(1c) Between 10pm-6am local, descent below 3000ft (914m) is not permitted for all non-jet aircraft until east of the coastline.


(2) Aircraft Arriving on Runway 01R (arriving over the Brisbane population onto the legacy runway):

(2a) Between 10pm-6am local, all aircraft shall not descend below 3000ft (914m) until aligned with the Runway 01R extended centreline.


(3) Aircraft Arriving on Runway 01L/R (arriving over the Brisbane population):

(3a) Use, as the final landing flap setting, the minimum certified landing flap setting approved by the operator for the applicable conditions. Reporting on this NAP is currently unavailable. Airservices is working to source the additional information needed to provide a report.

(3b) For jet aircraft conducting a visual approach, Air Traffic Control (ATC) will issue an instruction to join final approach for landing south of the Brisbane River.

(3c) For non-jet aircraft heavier than 5700KG conducting a visual approach, ATC will issue an instruction to join final approach for landing south of the Brisbane River when the estimated time of arrival is:

  • Between 8pm-11pm local
  • Between 6am-12pm local

The below report provides percentage adherence to the arrival flight path conditions of the NAP.

The report is best viewed in full screen mode. For instructions on how to use this tool, select the Help button.