UK aviation reforms could sideline public input over flight paths, campaigners warn

"Airspace around the UK will be reconfigured as part of a long-running modernisation process to allow planes to fly more efficiently and minimise delays, and the London airport has said progress in this area is essential for its expansion. However, campaigners are increasingly alarmed that local people will now have a very limited say in changes to flight paths, after a series of consultations signalled the decisions will be shaped by the industry and lean more towards efficiency and emissions considerations, rather than noise concerns."

"The government is proposing that the regulator no longer prioritise noise impacts in assessing flight paths where aircraft are higher than 4,000ft, compared with the current minimum altitude of 7,000ft. Campaigners argue that aircraft noise continues to impact people and public health well above 4,000ft. Hundreds of thousands of people could be affected by changes to flight paths around the UK particularly should a third runway at Heathrow go ahead, with some communities overflown for the first time."

The government is accelerating reforms to reconfigure UK airspace and enable a third runway at Heathrow. The reconfiguration aims to improve efficiency and reduce delays, and Heathrow says progress is essential for expansion. Consultations signal decisions will be industry-shaped and emphasize efficiency and emissions over noise. Proposed regulator changes would drop noise prioritisation above 4,000ft instead of 7,000ft. Campaigners warn that noise and health impacts persist above 4,000ft and that communities will have limited involvement. A new UK Airspace Design Service may replace local engagement, and expansions at Luton and Gatwick were also approved.

Read at www.theguardian.com