Assessment of Level and Characteristics of Aircraft Noise from Omagwa Airport on Surrounding Communities using Appropriate Metrics Analysis

Aircraft noise pollution is an increasing environmental concern, particularly for populations living near airports where repeated exposure to high-intensity and intermittent noise may negatively affect health, well-being, and quality of life. This study assessed the level and characteristics of aircraft noise generated by operations at Omagwa Airport, Rivers State, Nigeria, with emphasis on its impact on surrounding communities, especially Ipo. A field-based environmental monitoring design was adopted in line with ISO 1996-2:2007 standards. Noise measurements were taken using a Class 1 Digital Sound Level Meter (Kanomax Model 4431), while meteorological parameters were recorded using a Professional Weather Centre (PCE-FWS 20N). Aircraft operation data, including flight frequency and aircraft types, were obtained from Flightradar24. Noise levels were monitored between 08:00 and 17:00 hours and analyzed using acoustic indicators such as LA05, LA95, and intermittency (LA05 − LA95). The results showed an average of 12 aircraft overflights per day, with clear weekly variation; Monday recorded the highest activity (20 overflights), while Thursday recorded the lowest (8 overflights). Boeing aircraft dominated operations with 31 movements, reflecting the prevalence of larger aircraft types. Background noise levels in Ipo averaged about 35 dBA, while aircraft overflight noise ranged from 38.6 dBA to 70.5 dBA. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between overflight frequency and LA05 (r = 0.86) and intermittency (r = 0.88), indicating that increased aircraft activity significantly elevates both peak noise levels and acoustic variability. A one-sample t-test showed that aircraft noise significantly exceeded the WHO educational guideline of 45 dBA (p < 0.001), while intermittency values (2.7–36.6 dBA) exceeded the ISO 1996-3 threshold of 5 dBA. ANOVA results also confirmed significant differences in noise levels across days of the week (F = 5.92, p = 0.002). The study concludes that aircraft operations at Omagwa Airport pose a significant environmental noise burden on Ipo community, largely due to the absence of an effective buffer zone between residential areas and the runway. The combined evidence of high noise levels, strong intermittency, and significant temporal variation indicates a clear environmental and public health concern. The study recommends the establishment of buffer zones, the adoption of aircraft noise mitigation measures, continuous monitoring, and further research on long-term health impacts.