Heathrow offers to ban night flights amid push for third runway

Heathrow has offered to ban night flights and cut down noise pollution in an effort to improve its bid for a controversial third runway. 

The west London airport said it will ban flights between the hours of 11pm and 5:30am, and establish a clear and legally binding noise envelope for the third runway that it said will give “certainty” to local people.

The pledge comes 10 months after a report from the Airports Commission recommended a third runway should be built, as long as stringent measures were met to limit the impact on those living nearby.

The report said a new runway would not increase noise above current levels, generate up to £147bn in economic growth over 60 years and create 70,000 new jobs by 2050.

Heathrow also promised to meet other restrictions that the commission advised, including agreeing to a government ban on a fourth runway; spending more than £1bn to compensate local communities; and compensating local home owners who would lose their homes at a rate of 25% above market value.

It also said it would establish an independent community engagement board – under an independent chair – which will have “real influence” over how the airport meets the compensation and community support conditions.

In a letter to David Cameron, the Prime Minister, Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands.

“This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain.  

“We have acted now to let you and your government make the right choice, in the long term interest of our country. It will enable you to choose Heathrow and secure a stronger economy and Britain’s place in the world.”  

He added the expansion can help Britain “win thousands more jobs” and ensure that future generations have the same “economic opportunity that we have enjoyed”.