Jury Still Out on Heathrow Operational Freedom Trials
Second trial scheduled for Summer
An average of 23 aircraft landed on the ‘wrong’ runway each day during the first two months of the ‘operational freedom’ trials at Heathrow. That compares to a daily average of 12 during the same period in 2010 and 8 in both 2009 and 2008. It represents 3-4% of all aircraft. The figures are revealed in a report by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), published at the end of last month
The ‘operational freedoms’ trial ran from November to February. It allowed BAA to land planes out of alternation if delays were building up. Normally, aircraft switch runways at 3pm to allow residents in the boroughs closest to Heathrow a half day’s break from the noise.
The interim CAA report to the Secretary of State for Transport just covers the first two months of the trials: November and December. It showed that the number of complaints received by BAA rose significantly but urges caution on whether this was related to the trials. Further analysis if this is being carried out.
Surprisingly the trials appear to have led to little improvement in the punctuality of aircraft using the airport.
A second trial is scheduled for three months during the Summer. If the Government then decides that BAA should have the right to use ‘operational freedoms’ on a permanent basis, the proposals will be subject to public consultation.
John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN, the organisation campaigning to cut noise which represents residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said, “We need more information before we can make a real assessment of the impact and value of operational freedoms.”
March 13, 2012
