For the first time a Government Minister has admitted that flight numbers at Heathrow could rise to 800,000 a year. In reply to a question from Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer (1), Aviation Minister Gillian Merron made it clear that this number could be reached if both a third runway went ahead and more use was made of the existing runways through the abolition of runway alternation.
It would almost double the number of flights using the airport. Last year flight numbers reached 473,000. At present there is a cap of 480,000 on the number of flights that can use Heathrow in any one year. It was imposed when the Government gave the go-ahead to build Terminal 5 in 2001. But it can be overturned by a Planning Inquiry.
Later this year the Government will consult on its proposals to build a third runway and end runway alternation, the practice where aircraft landing over West London switch runways at 3pm in order to give residents a half day’s break from the noise. Gillian Merron confirmed that, although the consultation will “describe the flight paths that have been assumed”, any changes to air routes would not take place without first being subject to separate consultation “under the Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Change Process” (1).
A third runway on its own would increase flight numbers to 720,000 a year. According to last December’s Progress Report published by the Government on its Aviation White Paper, the ending of runway alternation would result in an additional 80,000 flights.
John Stewart, Chair of HACAN, which represents residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said: “Slowly the truth is being extracted from the Government. But it is like pulling out teeth with a piece of string. This new information that 800,000 flights a year could be using Heathrow will just make us all even more determined than ever to fight to make sure that this monstrosity never sees the light of day.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1) Parliament Questions
Heathrow Airport
Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the number of air transport movements which would take place at Heathrow if a third runway is built and mixed mode is introduced; [136417]
(2) whether the estimate of 720,000 air transport movements each year at Heathrow if a third runway is built referred to in the Air Transport White Paper Progress Report 2006 includes an assumption that mixed mode will be introduced. [136418]
Gillian Merron: As announced in the Future of Air Transport White Paper, the Government are carrying out a study on the future development of Heathrow. This is assessing the air quality and noise impacts, in particular, of both a possible third runway and of using the existing runways in mixed mode operations. The Government intend to consult on its findings later in 2007.
The December 2006 Progress Report on the Future of Air Transport White Paper indicated that mixed mode operations on the existing two runways at Heathrow could provide up to 15 per cent. more air traffic movements than the current annual limit of 480,000. It also said that a third runway could eventually support up to 720,000 movements but this does not assume the use of mixed mode operations on the existing two runways.
Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the forthcoming consultation into mixed-mode, the Cranford Agreement, westerly preference, a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow will also include consultation on the new flight paths which would be required if a third runway went ahead. [136414]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 9 May 2007]: The December 2006 Progress Report on the Future of Air Transport White Paper indicated that the Government would consult in 2007 on the future development of Heathrow. The consultation will present the results of the Government’s study to assess the air quality and noise impacts, in particular, of both a possible third runway and of using the existing runways in mixed mode operations.
The consultation will also describe the flight paths that have been assumed for this study. However, any changes to air routes would not take place without first being subject to separate consultation under the Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Change Process.
For further information
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650