Heathrow reveals plan to cut delays
Heathrow is suggesting changes to its standard procedures, including using both its runways for landings and allowing aircraft to depart from designated flight paths earlier to help the airport to recover from periods of disruption.
Following an eight-month trial at the airport that ended in March, it has concluded that the use of both runways for arrivals could help the airport get back to normal more quickly and reduce the impact on passengers.
It found that while more flexible use of the runways didn’t provide benefits significant enough to aid recovery from mass disruption, it did help mitigate against, and recover more quickly from, less serious disruptive events.
The report recommends that specific operational freedoms, such as more flexible use of the runways, be integrated into standard procedures as soon as possible.
It also suggests prioritising use of the southern runway for the A380 super jumbos, Terminal 4 aircraft and light aircraft, and early vectoring procedures to allow aircraft to leave the designated departure route earlier than usual, which would also make it possible for the next aircraft to depart earlier.
Departure routes were set by the Government in the 1960s so residents know where to expect noise from departing aircraft, and at the moment pilots are expected to remain within the Noise Preferential Routes until they reach 4,000 feet.
However, Heathrow director of sustainability Matt Gorman said: "The trials have shown that implementing these new procedures could help create a more punctual and efficient Heathrow.
"This would bring benefits for passengers and local residents alike by reducing late-running flights, and also benefits for the environment by reducing aircraft stacking and emissions.
"However, we recognise that there is a need to minimise other impacts on local communities and we will continue to work with HACAN and residents to achieve this."
The government has invited the Airports Commission to review Heathrow’s report, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority’s own analysis of the Operational Freedoms trial.
The Commission will publish an interim report in December, after which the Government will consider its findings together with those of the CAA and Heathrow.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025