Emirates plans to ease the squeeze
Emirates is hoping to persuade UK government ministers that it can cut noise levels by flying the latest airliners into Heathrow on steeper-than-normal descents, and land them part way down the airport’s runways,
The Dubai-based airline wants to fly A380 superjumbos in and out of London’s Heathrow airport late at night, when noise restrictions apply.
The airline hopes to fly the A380s in and out of Heathrow up to 1am, restarting operations at 4am, a move that would meet fierce opposition from the anti-noise lobby.
It would, however, enable Emirates to increase the number of daily flights to its Dubai hub, and allow Heathrow to increase the number of annual flights that it is allowed.
The UK government imposes tight restrictions on night flying at capacity-constrained Heathrow between 11.30pm and 6am.
Tim Clark, Emirates Airline’s president, told the Financial Times that the new breed of quieter wide-body jets, led by the A380, should benefit from a reduced night curfew.
Other airports around the world with night curfews are also likely to show interest in the Emirates proposal.
Ian Jarrett
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