Heathrow has launched a four-month dual-use runway trial aimed at reducing delays at the airport.
Current restrictions prohibit BAA from using both runways for take-offs and landings simultaneously (apart from in exceptional circumstances), in order to give respite to residents living close to the airport.
But as reported by Business Traveller earlier this year (see online news July 14), the four-month trial will ease these restrictions, with BAA allowed to make use of both runways if an aircraft faces a wait of more than ten minutes to land, if the arrival or departure flight schedule is anticipated to run later than 30 minutes, or if 30 per cent of all flights are delayed by more than 15 minutes.
Dual-use will also be permitted during periods of high headwinds on approach, and following periods of disruption, for example after snowfall.
There is concern that easing restrictions could cause more noise disruption for local residents, but BAA points out that there will be no extra flights as a result of the trial, and that the dual-runway use will only be used “temporarily to get flights back on schedule and avoid unscheduled night flights, which people disturbed by aircraft noise have reported as a key concern”.
The trial, which will run until February 29, 2012, was recommended by the Department for Transport, and will be overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority and audited by Cambridge University. A second trial period is scheduled to take place from July 1, 2012 until September 30, 2012, co-inciding with next year’s Olympic Games.
More information on the trial can be seen on the Heathrow website here.
Report by Mark Caswell
