Night flights to be banned at Heathrow’s third runway

Following plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow, Europe’s largest airport, night flights are to be banned and legally binding noise targets introduced after a statement released by the British government.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced a National Policy Statement full of proposals detailing the planned means of going about building and operating a thrid runway at London Heathrow.

Mr Grayling said: “The National Policy Statement is a big step forward for what is one of the UK’s most important, major infrastructure projects.

“By backing the northwest runway at Heathrow airport and publishing our proposals, we are sending a clear signal that when we leave the EU, we are open for business.”

New routes are to be introduced after Mr Grayling said planes will have to make adjustments when travelling to and from the west London hub in order to minimise noise pollution.

So what has been announced?

As reported by ITV, a major British news broadcaster, the Department for Transport will strive to satisfy the following commitments:

The final version of the National Policy Statement is expected to be voted on by Parliament in early 2017.

If the project is agreed upon, Heathrow will subsequently produce detailed plans for consultation and a planning inquiry.

As a result, the runway is not expected to be operational until around 2025.