7 February 2011
Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park, Conservative): Asked the Secretary of State for Transport
(1) what criteria will be used in the review of restrictions on night flights at Heathrow Airport after October 2012;
(2) what timetable he has set for the consultation on restrictions on night flights at Heathrow Airport after October 2012.
Theresa Villiers (Aviation Minister, Conservative): An announcement about proposals for post 2012 arrangements will be made in due course. Any proposals will be subject to public consultation.
There have been strict controls on night flights at Heathrow for many years. This recognises that noise from aircraft at night is widely regarded as the least acceptable aspect of aircraft operations and a key concern for local residents. In considering criteria for a new regime, it will be particularly important that very great care is taken to strike a fair balance between local disturbance and the economic benefits of night flights.
Sourced from Dehavilland