Just like older cars, older aircraft are less efficient and make more noise than newer aircraft. In Canada, international standards are used to certify jet aircraft for noise levels. Jet aircraft in Canada are categorized as either Chapter 2 (older, noisier) or Chapter 3 (newer, quieter). In general, commercial jet aircraft built after the mid-1980s are all Chapter 3 certified. About 74% of jet aircraft operating at YVR are now Chapter 3.

Airlines are currently replacing their older aircraft with newer ones, or modifying older aircraft to meet Chapter 3 standards. In Canada, airlines are required to eliminate all Chapter 2 aircraft in their fleet by April 2002. Similar rules apply in Europe and the U.S. As a member of Airports Council International (ACI), the Airport Authority supports improved standards that would require new aircraft to be even quieter in addition to phase-out of the noisiest aircraft.