Why does Birmingham Airport want more night flights? – BBC.com

In October, Birmingham Airport announced that it was applied for permission to increase the number of flights operated at night as the airport aims to serve 18 million passengers a year by 2033.

Its existing night flight policy, which allows 5% of take-offs and landings to take place at night, was agreed in 2009.

However, it wants to increase this to an average of 7.3% of flights arriving or departing between 23:30 and 06:00.

So what does this mean for the airport, the people who travel through it and the local residents?

Birmingham Airport, which currently handles 13 million passengers a year, says that to provide passengers with the destinations and schedules they want, airlines need to operate each of their aircraft as often as possible.

This means an earlier start and/or later finish each day, often between 05:00 – 06:00 and 23:30 – 01:00.

Documents from airport consultants McLoughlin Planning say this is partly due to “the rise of low-cost carriers using the airport” and “changes in their operating patterns”.

He said those changes included “much more intensive use of the aircraft for a longer operational day, which means earlier starts and later finishes”.

“Birmingham Airport Limited is unable to keep pace with the airport’s changing circumstances in terms of operations and aircraft types and associated movements,” the consultants said.

If the airport’s request is approved, it will mean around 7,600 night flights at the airport annually by 2026-2027.

That would be an average of 21 flights per night.

The airport says the majority of these will be between 05:00 – 06:00 and 23:30 – 01:00, allowing planes to return slightly earlier or later rather than operating in the middle of the night.

An airport spokeswoman said the airport was not breaking its current limit of 5,171 night flights a year.

Birmingham Airport says the expected figure of 7,600 night flights is down from that forecast 15 years ago, covering 2026-2027.

In 2009, 7,950 night flights were planned for the period.

The airport says the reduction is due to technological improvements, meaning planes are bigger and can carry more passengers. The airport carries 40% more passengers compared to 2007, using 25% fewer movements.

By 2026-27, there are expected to be a total of 109,000 arrivals and departures, an increase on current numbers but down from the 2009 forecast.

An increase in night flights at the airport is subject to approval of the plans by Solihull Council.

Without that approval, the airport says routes will be canceled and jobs could be affected in the long term.

Rather than layoffs, it says future job creation will be “suppressed.”

An airport spokesman said: “The policy update is needed to ensure current growth forecasts are enabled, unlocking wider benefits for the airport and the West Midlands region.”

Some residents of Tile Cross, about four miles (6 kilometers) from Birmingham Airport, told the BBC they were worried about the extra noise.

Luke Page said: “During the day it’s not so bad, but now they’re getting bigger and more frequent, it’s certainly making a difference, especially inside the house.

“At least come and talk to the people who live next to the airport to help, maybe for new windows or something else to make a difference.

“Obviously they’re making money off of it, so it’s safe to say they have to look out for the people who make their living off of it.”

Another resident said: “It doesn’t really bother me because I’ve lived here for over 40 years. I raised two children. The airport was here when I moved.”