Comment from Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign on night flights plan – same number but less noise

New rules for night flights for the next five years have been announced by the Government. Chairman of GACC, Brendon Sewill, said: “Gatwick has more night flights than any other London airport.  We are disappointed that there is to be virtually no reduction in the number of flights.  People across Britain are kept awake by aircraft and there is growing evidence that this has a serious impact on health, so GACC’s aim is to see a ban on all night flights.” GACC, however, welcomes and supports the suggestion by the DfT that the permitted level of noise at night (the noise quota) at Gatwick may be cut by 20% over the next five years.  That will not only have an obvious advantage but it will force airlines to buy and to use quieter aircraft – and that will also have a benefit during the day. But we need to ensure the aviation industry does not try to weaken this restriction.  GACC welcomes the proposal to reduce the noise quotas to the current level of use: that will not make any difference to the current situation but will prevent a potential sizeable increase in future years. It is something that GACC has argued for in the past. GACC will be consulting its members on its detailed response to the consultation and welcomes their views.
.

 

 

Night flights – same number but less noise

12.1.2017  (GACC – Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign)

New rules for night flights for the next five years have been announced by the Government.  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/582863/night-flight-restrictions-at-heathrow-gatwick-and-stansted.pdf

Chairman of GACC, Brendon Sewill, said: ‘Gatwick has more night flights than any other London airport.  We are disappointed that there is to be virtually no reduction in the number of flights.  People across Britain are kept awake by aircraft and there is growing evidence that this has a serious impact on health, so GACC’s aim is to see a ban on all night flights.’

GACC, however, welcomes and supports the suggestion by the Government that the permitted level of noise at night (the noise quota) at Gatwick may be cut by 20% over the next five years.  That will not only have an obvious advantage but it will force airlines to buy and to use quieter aircraft – and that will also have a benefit during the day. ‘We will need to fight hard to prevent the aviation rats getting at this plan.’

Also welcome is the proposal to reduce the noise quotas to the current level of use: that will not make any difference to the current situation but will prevent a potential sizeable increase in future years. It is something that GACC has argued for in the past.

Noise at night from aircraft taking off and landing at Gatwick disturbs tens of thousands of people in Crawley and Horley, and in villages around the airport.  A new factor is the research by GACC, now accepted by the Government, that noise from aircraft is more disturbing in rural areas – up to 30 miles from Gatwick – where background noise levels are low.  ‘We believe,’ says Sewill, ‘that our research project has helped to persuade the Government to cut the noise.’

GACC will be consulting all its members on its more detailed response to the consultation and send out a draft response to member, welcoming their views.

http://www.gacc.org.uk

.


See also

 

Recent quota count and new limit proposed, showing how little impact the new limit will have on current operations

 

Heathrow used (Summer 2014) 3242 of its 5100 total   (new total 2540)

Heathrow used (Summer 2015) 2847 of its 5100 total

Heathrow used (Summer 2016) 2304 of its 5100 total   (ie. under the new total)

Heathrow used (Winter 2013) 3070  of its 4080 total   (new total 2340)

Heathrow used (Winter 2014) 2939  of its 4080 total

Heathrow used (Winter 2015) 2475  of its 4080 total  (ie. not hard to reach new total)

 

Gatwick used (Summer 2014) 4943 of its 6200 total   (new total  4870)

Gatwick used (Summer 2015) 4765 of its 6200 total

Gatwick used (Summer 2016) 4912 of its 6200 total  (so not hard to meet new total)

Gatwick used (Winter 2013) 828  of its 2000 total   (new total 1655)

Gatwick used (Winter 2014) 852  of its 2000 total

Gatwick used (Winter 2015) 953  of its 2000 total (so new total is far higher than use)

 

Stansted used (Summer 2014) 4261 of its 4650 total   (new total  4650 – unchanged)

Stansted used (Summer 2015) 4085 of its 4650 total

Stansted used (Summer 2016) 4630 of its 4650 total

Stansted used (Winter 2013)  2158  of its 3310 total   (new total 3310 – unchanged)

Stansted used (Winter 2014) 2205  of its 3310 total

Stansted used (Winter 2015) 2234  of its  3310 total


Gatwick has more night flights than Heathrow or Stansted – and that will continue for next 5 years

The Government Department for Transport (DfT) has released the long awaited night flight consultation documents (ends 28th February). The number of flights between 23:00 and 07.00 would not be reduced. The current number, and the one proposed for the next 5 years, is 3,250 in the winter and 11,200 in the summer, making an annual total of 14,450 which averages as 40 per night through the year. There will be a slight reduction in the quota count, as it is not being used – so the new figure will not change anything. This will be a reduction of at least 345 in the winter to 1655 [from 2000] and 1,330 in the summer to 4870 [from 6200]. Local campaign group CAGNE has commented about how unsatisfactory the proposals for Gatwick are. Sally Pavey, Chair of CAGNE said: “We would like to see a total ban on Gatwick night flights as this is a major cause of complaints we receive from communities. Summer nights especially when residents want to enjoy their gardens and have windows open on hot evenings.” CAGNE says it is regrettable that the government seems to “accept the economic case over the health implications of allowing night flights to continue.” Gatwick plans to continue to grow at perhaps 10% per year, meaning continually increasing noise.

Click here to view full story…

DfT publishes disappointing consultation on night flight regime at Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted

The long awaited consultation on Night flying restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted has now finally been published, for the 5 years to October 2022 (well before any new runway). It has been delayed for 3 years. Many people whose sleep is disturbed by night flights had been hoping for real prospects of the number of night flights being reduced. However, the consultation (that ends on 28th February) merely suggests keeping the numbers of flights between 23:00 and 07:00 the same at Heathrow and Gatwick, but increasing the number at Stansted. At Heathrow the number would remain at 2,550 in the winter and 3,250 in the summer (seasons based on dates the clocks change to/from summer time). That is an annual total of 5,800 which averages as 16 per night through the year. The figure at Gatwick is 3,250 in the winter and 11,200 in the summer, making an annual total of 14,450 which averages as 40 per night through the year. However, the DfT proposes reducing the total noise quota (points based on the noise of planes at night) at Heathrow Airport by at least 43% in the winter and 50% in the summer, ie. a reduction of at least 1,740 in the winter to 2,340 (from 4080) and 2,560 in the summer to 2,540 (from 5100). The cut in quota count at Gatwick would be 17% in winter and 21% in summer., ie. a reduction of at least 345 in the winter to 1655 (from 2000) and 1,330 in the summer to 4870 (from 6200).

Click here to view full story…