BA urges more flexible use of Heathrow runways
Delays at Heathrow due to weather conditions could be cut by as much as two thirds by more flexible use of the two existing runways, British Airways claims.
The airline has examined the effects of Heathrow’s method of runway operation, where arrivals are confined to one runway at a time, on flight delays in conditions of high winds.
The analysis found that strong headwinds “frequently†led to reductions in the arrival rate set by air traffic controllers.
In contrast at Gatwick, where landings and take-offs are sequenced on the same single runway in ‘mixed mode’ operation, arrivals can be maintained at a consistent rate in windy conditions because separation between aircraft is greater to allow for intervening departures, according to BA.
The outcome is to generate more take-offs and landings per runway per hour: typically 48 at Gatwick and 42 at Heathrow. This results in fewer delays, particularly for incoming flights.
Though weather conditions are similar at both airports, aggregate delays for arrivals are many times worse at Heathrow than at Gatwick, the BA study showed.
Heathrow was subject to air traffic control restrictions on arrivals on 276 days with a total short haul delay of 280,000 minutes in 2006.
Gatwick was subject to arrivals restrictions on only 52 days with a total short haul delay of 21,000 minutes.
Heathrow’s short haul operation is less than twice the size of Gatwick’s, yet its aggregate delays were 13 times worse.
The findings form are part of the airline’s response to government consultation on increasing Heathrow’s runway capacity, which includes proposals for the phased introduction of mixed mode.
BA’s infrastructure manager Paul Ellis said: “Years of practical experience of runway operation at Heathrow and Gatwick has shown conclusively that mixed mode operation provides much better protection against delays when weather conditions are difficult.
“The introduction of mixed mode at Heathrow would be a real bonus for passengers. We estimate that it would cut weather delays by up to two thirds from Day One and provide much greater reliability throughout the timetable.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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