They actually have the potential to make less noise. "Some think that propfan engines can potentially cause less of a community impact than turbofan engines, b

They actually have the potential to make less noise. "Some think that propfan engines can potentially cause less of a community impact than turbofan engines, because the rotational speeds of a propfan are lower than that of a turbofan. Geared propfans should have an advantage over ungeared propfans for the same reason."