Night flights at Heathrow could be changed so that people in the less populated area west of the airport suffer more noise.
The plan was floated in a government paper on the future of controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. It will consider the economic benefits of more flights after 11pm and in the early morning. Options for reducing noise include:
Directing aircraft landing at Heathrow at night to approach from the west rather than over the city. It would mean nearly 110,000 people in west London would suffer less noise, while 15,000 living west of the airport would suffer more.
Allowing aircraft to land at a steeper angle so that fewer homes are affected by low-flying jets.
Telling pilots to land farther along main runways, sparing some homes from noise.
Night flights currently alternate between westerly and easterly approaches to Heathrow, with 16 between 11.30pm and 6am, and about 60 between 6am and 7am.
Transport minister Simon Burns said proposals this year would try to strike “a fair balance” between the interests of those disturbed by the noise and of the airports, passengers and the economy. Local residents welcomed the noise reduction ideas but were disappointed there was no ban on extra night flights.
