§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the percentage of night flights at Gatwick by QC4 and QC8 aircraft(a) between October 1993 and September 1994 and (b) for the latest available 12 month period. [63456]
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§ Ms Glenda Jackson8,651 night flights were counted against the noise quotas and movement limits in the period 24 October 1993 to 23 October 1994, of which 4 were by aircraft classified QC/8 and 420 (4.85 per cent.) were by aircraft classified QC/4.
11,470 night flights were counted against the noise quotas and movement limits in the period 26 October 1997 to 24 October 1998, of which one was by an aircraft classified QC/8 and 731 (6.37 per cent.) were by aircraft classified QC/4. The figures included in the above for the summer 1998 season are provisional.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many night flights were permitted at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the year October 1992 to September 1993; and how many are due to be permitted in the year October 1998 to September 1999. [63454]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonPrior to 24 October 1993, night flights at Heathrow and Gatwick were restricted on the basis of movements quotas. Since then, the night restrictions have been based on a system of movements limits and noise quotas. The night restrictions have always been set on a seasonal basis and details are available on that basis. The seasons change with the clocks.
The number of night flights permitted under the relevant restrictions in Winter 1992–93 (October-March) and Summer 1993 (March-October) were as follows:
Airport Winter 1992–93 Summer 1993 Total Gatwick Delayed Departures1 20 30 50 NN/B2 815 1,780 2,595 NN/C 1,542 3,410 4,952 Total 2,377 5,220 7,597 Heathrow Delayed Departures 30 60 90 NN/B and NN/C 3,000 2,750 5,750 Total 3,030 2,810 5,840 1 Prior to October 1993, aircraft were classified into four groups depending on their noise performance on take-off. The noisiest types, NN/A, could not normally operate at night, apart from a small quota for delayed aircraft. 2 At Gatwick, the movement quotas were subdivided between NN/B and NN/C aircraft as a further control on the number of take-offs and landings by the next noisiest types of aircraft. The movement quotas at Heathrow were not subdivided in this way but NN/B aircraft were barred from taking off between 0030–0500. The number of night flights permitted under the relevant restrictions in Winter 1998–99 (October-March) and Summer 1999 (March-October) are as follows:
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Season Airport Winter 1998–99 Summer 1999 Total Gatwick Movements Limit 5,250 11,200 16,450 Noise Quota 6,820 9,550 16,370 Heathrow Movements Limit 2,550 3,250 5,800 Noise Quota 5,000 7,000 12,000 The current restrictions comprise a maximum number of movements which can be made each season with a quota, related to an aircraft's noise classification on take-off or landing, as a supplementary measure designed to encourage the use of quieter aircraft. Each aircraft (landing or take-off) counts as one against the movement limit; it also counts against the noise quota according to its noise quota classification.
Both night restrictions regimes additionally permit movements by exempt types of aircraft, although far fewer types of aircraft are exempt under the present regime than previously. Both night restrictions regimes also include provisions for some movements to be given dispensations. The latest guidelines on dispensations were published in the second stage consultation paper on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, which was announced on 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 492–93.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the night flight noise point quota system at Gatwick in encouraging the use of quieter aircraft. [63457]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis is considered in the second stage of the consultation on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted issued on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 492–93.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the number of night noise quota points used at Gatwick Airport(a) between October 1993 and September 1994 and (b) in the latest available 12 month period; and to what extent the number of noise quota points used is proportional to the volume of noise at night. [63455]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonSince October 1993 the night noise quotas set for Gatwick Airport have been 6,820 quota count (QC) points for each winter season and 9,550 QC points for each summer season, making an annual total of 16,370 QC points. The usage made of these quotas in the periods 24 October 1993 and 23 October 1994 inclusive was 8963.5 points; and that in the period 26 October 1997 and 25 October 1998 inclusive was 12413 points.
The figures included in the above for the summer 1998 season are provisional.
For the purposes of the night restrictions, aircraft are classified into seven QC bands, in most cases according to the noise certification data collected when the aircraft was tested to show that it met the internationally agreed noise levels. The metric EPNL (Effective Perceived Noise Level) is used for noise certification purposes, and each aircraft, depending on the engines fitted, is classified into one of seven 3EPNdB-wide QC bands. They are classified separately for take-off and landing. Therefore, the number of quota points used is proportional to the volume of noise according to the following scale. 311W
Quota Count Noise Classification QC/0 less than 87 EPNdB, but in the case of jet aircraft, those having a maximum certificate take-off weight not exceeding 11,600kg. QC/0.5 90–92.9 EPNdB QC/1 90–92.9 EPNdB QC/2 93–95.9 EPNdB QC/4 96–98.9 EPNdB QC/8 99–101.9 EPNdB QC/16 Greater than 101.9 EPNdB