We are asking residents to consider taking part in a public consultation about night flights at Stansted Airport.
The consultation has already begun but there is till time to let the government know whether there should continue to be limits on the frequency of night flights at Stansted Airport before the consultation ends on 22nd May 2024.
Night Flights at Stansted Airport
There have been controls at Stansted in some shape or form since 1978.
Every three and five years the Department for Transport (DfT) decides how restrictions on night flights will work.
Before they do so, they conduct a public consultation. Their latest one seeks your views on their draft Noise Action Plan 2024-2028.
Your comments will play a part in how the government will manage night flights at Stansted from October 2025 until October 2028.
Three Proposals
The consultation lays out three alternative proposals:
Option 1 – Removing restrictions on the number of Stansted night flights and the permitted aggregate night noise level* in October 2026.
Option 2 – Removing controls on the number of Stansted night flights in October 2025, whilst maintaining the controls on the permitted aggregate night noise level.
Option 3 – Keeping the existing night control regime in place
The night flight regimes are also under review at Heathrow and Gatwick. However only at Stansted are significant changes to the status quo (see table below) proposed.
Currently Permitted Night flights at Stansted Airport
Season Movement (flight) Limit Noise Quota Count
Winter 5,600 3,310
Summer 8,100 4,650
Quota Count: This refers to a defined annual limit on flights deemed to be particularly noise polluting that can take off or land at night time hours. The aggregate noise level refers to a threshold that night lights cannot exceed
Parish Council acknowledges that the airport brings employment and business to Stansted but also believed it unwise to loosen regulations until proof is in hand night flights are safer than feared.
That evidence may come in 2025 when an important study on the health impacts of night flights is to be published.