HC Deb 18 February 1998 vol 306 cc646-7W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many flights at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted arrived or departed within the night quota period but were not counted against this quota in the last three years; and for what reasons. [29705]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The following information on aircraft not counted against the movements limits and noise quotas is taken from the regular monitoring returns provided by the three airport companies. The night restrictions are set on a seasonal basis. The seasons change with the clocks.

Heathrow
Season Exempt Early Not Counted
Types Note 1 Note 2 Note 3 Note 4
Summer 1997 113 0 0 1 5
Winter 1996–97 191 20 94 4 8
Summer 1996 256 36 1 3 14
Winter 1995–96 186 13 99 4 19
Summer 1995 268 4 8 12 10
Winter 1994–95 179 11 79 9 4

Gatwick
Season Not Counted
Exempt Types Early Note 1 Note 2 Note 3 Note 4
Summer 1997 817 11 9 2 2
Winter 1996–97 585 18 6 0 0
Summer 1996 807 28 16 0 0
Winter 1995–96 586 16 9 0 0
Summer 1995 844 38 4 0 0
Winter 1994–95 647 20 0 0 0

Stansted
Season Not Counted
Exempt Types Early Note 1 Note 2 Note 3 Note 4
Summer 1997 1,152 1 0 2 0
Winter 1996–97 1,194 0 0 1 0
Summer 1996 1,232 0 3 1 0
Winter 1995–96 1,077 0 2 0 0
Summer 1995 1,438 0 1 0 0
Winter 1994–95 1,054 0 0 2 0

Exempt Types: Jet aircraft with a maximum certificated weight not exceeding 11,600 kg and propeller aircraft are exempt from the movements limits and noise quotas restrictions if their noise data are classified at less than 87 EPNdB.

Note 1: Early: Scheduled to land after 0630, but lands before 0600—flight counts against the movements limit but not the noise quota.

Note 2: Dispensations granted from both movements limit and noise quota for delays likely to lead to serious congestion and delays resulting from widespread disruption of Air Traffic.

Note 3: Exemptions from counting against the movements limit and noise quota granted by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (VIP Passengers, Emergency Relief).

Note 4: Exemptions from counting against the movements limit and noise quota for emergency take-offs and landings.