HL Deb 27 July 1976 vol 373 c1336WA
Lord TREFGARNE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (i) What was the number of civil movements at Northolt Aerodrome during the last convenient 12 month period;
  2. (ii) What was the number of other movements during the same period;
  3. (iii) What undertakings have been given to the local community in respect of the total number of movements;
  4. (iv) what restraints are imposed by the aerodrome's proximity to Heathrow.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

During the 12 months ending 31st December 1975 there were 3,067 civil movements and 13,740 other movements at Northolt Aerodrome. I am not aware of any undertakings to the local community regarding the total number of movements, but strict limitations are imposed on civil flying at Northolt, including a ban on civil jet aircraft and a limit of 20 on the number of civil movements permitted in any one day. These conditions are imposed mainly for environmental reasons but also take account of the congestion in the airways around Northolt due to its close proximity to Heathrow. All arrivals and departures, both military and civil, through the designated airways at Northolt are controlled by Heathrow and are limited to three arrivals and three departures an hour. For operational reasons, the runway in use at Northolt must correspond in direction with the runway in use at Heathrow, and when Heathrow Runway 23 is in use the Eastern approach corridor to Northolt is closed. Northolt traffic is not permitted to operate to the South of the airfield at any time.