Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives of community groups that are overflown by night flights.

The Government accepts that there are health impacts associated with aircraft noise and keeps all relevant evidence under review. The Department for Transport has previously commissioned research on the effects of aviation noise on annoyance, health and wellbeing and has tasked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to carry out a further survey in the next year. The Department has also commissioned an Aviation Night Noise Study, to understand specifically how impacts associated with exposure to aviation noise vary by time of night.

The Government sets noise and night flight controls at the designated airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted). At other airports, these controls are agreed locally.

Following consultation, the Government announced in July 2021 that the existing night flight movement limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are to be rolled over for a period of three years – until October 2025.

We expect to consult publicly on proposals for the regime from 2025 onwards by the end of 2023.

The Department has regular engagement with representatives of community groups overflown by night flights, including through our formal Airspace and Noise Engagement Group (ANEG).