§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the criteria are for determining the lowest permissible altitude of commercial aircraft operations around international airports; and which authority is responsible for them. [57543]
§ Mr. JamiesonProvisions relating to the lowest height at which aircraft may fly are contained in the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996 (Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 1393). These are made under the Air Navigation Order and reflect internationally agreed safety standards and recommended practices. The Rules apply to all flights.
Rule 5 of the Rules of the Air Regulations is the low flying rule, and aircraft flying under Instrument Flight Rules must also comply with Rule 29 (minimum height).
The responsible authority for the rules of the air is the Civil Aviation Authority, the Government's safety regulator.
In addition some airports apply their own local restrictions within the immediate vicinity of the airport (normally within the local traffic circuit) for noise abatement purposes. These restrictions require aircraft to fly at heights greater than those specified in the low flying rules.