Heathrow plans to add 25,000 extra flights a year before new runway

Heathrow airport announced on Tuesday plans to add an extra 25,000 flights before its third runway is built as it launched a new consultation over its operations.

The consultation process on the £16bn third runway could spark controversy due to concerns over increased noise pollution for local residents even years before the new strip comes into use.

The extra flights are part of plans to maximise the airport’s capacity ahead of the expansion and will see the total rise to 500,000 flights a year, although the initiative still requires approval.

Included in the initial draft are the routes that the planes will follow once the third runway is operational.

John Stewart, of the Heathrow noise reduction campaigning group Hacan, said: “Although a third runway will clearly bring many losers, one long-lasting impact of these proposed changes is that a break from aircraft noise would be guaranteed to many more people than who currently enjoy it, as Heathrow would make the biggest changes to its flight paths since opening in 1946.”

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion said: “It is crucial that our plans maximise the benefits of expansion across the country, including for the communities closest to us.”

“We are committed to delivering expansion responsibly and we encourage everyone to have their say and take part.”

Long opposed to the third runway, neighbouring communities have joined a legal challenge against it. They are due to be heard in the high court in March.