Noise - frequently asked questions

How will I be disturbed by aircraft noise?
In order to check this we need your full current or intended postal address – including the postcode. Once we have this we will check the Noise and Track Keeping system to see if you are affected by Gatwick operations, and how you might be affected. We will send an information pack which explains Gatwicks’s operations. This will include maps of a typical day’s aircraft tracks as well as more specific maps which show your location in relation to these aircraft tracks.

Isn’t it against the law to fly at night & who allows night flights anyway?
There has never been a night ban at Gatwick. All the aircraft using Gatwick Airport during the night are operated in accordance with the night restrictions set by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT imposes restrictions on night flights in order to preserve a balance between the need to protect local communities from excessive aircraft noise at night, and the operation of services where they provide economic benefits. The decision to allow night flights, therefore, is a policy matter for the Government.

What are the noise restrictions for night flights?
The most recent restrictions were introduced in October 2006 and consist of four main elements as follows:

• A maximum number of flights during each season (11,200 in summer and 3,250 in winter) between 11.30pm and 6.00am;
• A supplementary quota system to encourage the use of quieter aircraft.  Aircraft types are given a Quota Count (QC) value, according to how much noise they make on landing and take-off. These are: QC 0.25, QC0.5, QC1, QC2, QC4, QC8 and QC16, which is the noisiest category. Aircraft movements score QC values against a maximum allowable Quota for each season (6,700 for summer and 2,300 for winter) between 11:30pm and 6am, “the night quota period”;
• Aircraft of QC4 cannot be scheduled to operate between 11.30pm and 6.00am;
• Aircraft of QC16 and QC8 cannot be scheduled to operate between 11pm and 7am.

Why are you flying over me (easterly or  westerly) when there is no wind?
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is responsible for deciding the direction of operation and make their decision based upon a number of factors, including:  the current prevailing wind speed and direction here at the airfield, both on the ground and in the air (what is happening at 1000ft and 2000ft above ground is also very important); the forecast for the next 4 to 6 hours; and information from pilots. The position is kept constantly under review and any changes made in the light of all relevant factors at the time. The weather forecast made by the Met Office is not a reliable indicator for what is happening at Gatwick since the Met Office forecast to the public is general and relates to ground level.

Have the flightpaths been changed – I’ve never noticed aircraft over here before?
There has been no change in policies relating to how Gatwick operates, including how Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) direct aircraft, nor in the position of the Noise Preferential Routes (NPRs), the stacks where arriving aircraft ‘queue’ whilst waiting to join the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or the position of the ILS radio beams which aircraft use to bring them into land on the last stage of their journey. These routes have been in place for over 30 years.

Can I get compensation for noise disturbance?
Aircraft noise is specifically exempted from the controls in general environmental protection legislation because it is already controlled by civil aviation legislation. Basically, the Civil Aviation Act 1982 provides that no action shall lie in respect of trespass or in respect of nuisance, by reason only of the flight of an aircraft over any property so long as the provisions of the legislation and any relevant Air Navigation Orders have been complied with.

What’s the point of complaining/what happens to the complaints?
Every complaint received by the Gatwick Flight Evaluation Unit is registered and investigated, and responded to if requested. A specialised complaint handling service is used, combining a database, mapping system and flight and noise records from the Noise and Track Keeping system.

We understand the importance of regular consultation with local people on noise issues, so noise complaints are raised and discussed on a regular basis at our Noise and Tracking Monitoring Advisory Group (NaTMAG). This Group includes local community, airline, air traffic control, BAA Gatwick and the Department for Transport (DfT) representation and Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM).  GATCOM is made up of representatives from local government, airport users, business groups, environmental groups and other interested parties.

Where can I get more information?
There are a number of explanatary leaflets available on this website. Click on the noise in your area section to view these.

Alternatively if you would like to discuss noise issues in more detail please contact the Gawick Flight Evaluation Unit on 0800 383 070