Category: Latest news

In a hugely significant development Heathrow Airport (BAA as was) has said it will not be pressing for mixed-mode (planes landing on both runways throughout the day).

A Heathrow source told The Times (4/2/13):” It would be a lot of pain for not much gain,” said a Heathrow source. Heathrow confirmed its position when appearing before the Transport Committee of the London Assembly (13/2/13) It is highly unlikely that any Government would recommend mixed-mode without the support of Heathrow Airport.

For an easy-to-read explanation of mixed mode in PDF format, click here.

 

Transport Secretary Justine Greening dismissed the lobbying efforts of the aviation industry as “a pub-style debate”

To disentangle the myths from the facts in the Heathrow debate, read our latest 4-pager in PDF format:  Heathrow Expansion Myths and Facts

Speaking at the debate organized by the Evening Standard (27th June) BAA chief Willie Walsh said that, much as he would like to have seen a 3rd runway at Heathrow, he no accepts the reality that it will not happen and is planning his business accordingly.

He also said that mixed-mode at Heathrow would makes worse at the airport and opposes it.

The Evening Standard, still pushing expansion under its new editor Sarah Sands, chose to report things differently….and incorrectly.

Read the HACAN Blog: In Praise of Willie Walsh. Read the HACAN Press Release

 

There has been a high-profile campaign recently by the aviation industry arguing the UK economic will suffer if airport expansion does not take place, particularly at Heathrow.

It has been heavily featured in the Evening Standard since Sarah Sands became editor. HACAN does not believe the case stands up. This two page PDF document summarises why.

 

In a Lord’s debate (28/5/12) the Government announced it would consider the economic loss due to sleep loss when it reviews night flights later this year.

This will be the first time this has been done. The issue was first raised in a CE Delft Report published by HACAN. Welcome move.

More details of the announcement. Read the HACAN report.

 

HACAN is calling on the Government to include plans to change the way it measures aircraft noise in its draft aviation policy, expected to go out to public consultation before the end of March.

The current method the Government uses varies from the one recommended by the European Union. It also contradicts the guidelines for noise annoyance recommended by the World Health Organisation. The EU estimates that around 720,000 people are disturbed by noise from Heathrow aircraft.

The UK Government puts it much lower at less than 300,000. HACAN Chair John Stewart said: “The way UK governments have traditionally measured noise no longer tallies with reality. Using its method, aircraft noise ceases to be a problem around Barnes.

It defies reality to say that people in places like Putney, Fulham, Battersea and Clapham are not disturbed by aircraft noise. We are calling on the Government to ditch this outdated way of measuring aircraft noise.”

Read the HACAN press release in PDF format.

 

A major new report published yesterday (19/12/11) by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reveals that 28% of the people in Europe affected by aircraft noise live under the Heathrow flight paths.

A total of over 700,000 people are affected by Heathrow aircraft. The report calls for measures, such as steeper descents by aircraft, to mitigate the impact of noise on residents. It also urges airport owners to “engage constructively” with residents.

Read the CAA Report: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/589/CAA_InsightNote2_Aviation_Policy_For_The_Environment.pdf  

Read the HACAN Press Release

 

HACAN has published an easy-to-read guide outlining the social, environmental, economic and political objections to a 3rd runway.

A new report from MVA Consultancy shows that people are affected by much lower levels of aircraft noise than the Government has admitted. It challenges the whole basis of aircraft noise policy.

Read the report

It’s a busy time. We are compiling some highlights of recent and forthcoming campaigning by HACAN and others on the major airport issues. Read the first update here