Theresa May has expressed her concern about a proposal to increase the proportion of night flights over the Maidenhead area. The proposal, contained in a consultation document published by the Department for Transport, would see an ‘easterly preference’ scheme introduced for night flights landing at Heathrow Airport. This would mean more flights arriving from the west of the airport, over the Maidenhead area.
The current system results in around 70% of night flights approaching from the east of Heathrow, with around 30% travelling in an easterly direction over the Thames Valley region. The proposed new system would see this rise to 60% by giving preference to easterly operations, meaning more night flights approaching from the west of the airport.
Theresa has responded to the consultation to raise concerns about this. Commenting, she said: “I have campaigned against any increase in night flights, so I am concerned about this proposal. This would represent a major shift and would result in an increase in aircraft arriving at night from the west, over the Maidenhead area.”
“This would constitute a dramatic break from the system that has operated since the 1960s, which sees more flights towards the east of Heathrow. I am concerned about the effect this will have on local residents, who could not have anticipated this change when they bought their houses.”
