To receive an update from Heathrow Airport.

Andy Knight, Heathrow Airport, gave a presentation on Heathrow Airport’s operations. He informed that he worked in the Communities and Sustainability Team, where his main role was talking about Heathrow’s operations and its impact on communities.

Andy Knight explained where residents could find operational tools and information about Heathrow on their website. On hethrow.com/noise, residents could look information on the planes flying, air routes and altitudes. They could also raise complaints on noise through a phone number, email address and web form. Residents could also acquire news on various operational impacts which may affect them. In addition, the website revealed plans seeking to reduce noise pollution.

Andy Knight then drew attention to various apps which residents could use:

·       WebTrak – track planes travelling to and from Heathrow.

·       WebTrack ‘My Neighbourhood’ – a related app which illustrate trends in flights over a number of months.

·       xPlane – illustrates Heathrow flight distribution over specific locations.

Andy Knight then informed that an extensive section of Heathrow’s website contained other operational information, such as flight paths, rules around night flight, runway alternation, how wind directions affect flight paths, how the historic Cranford Agreement affect easterly operations, and ground noise. The website included videos explaining this information.

Andy Knight then explained that there were plans to introduce easterly alternation as part of the airport expansion project, but this had paused due to the Covid pandemic. To enact easterly alternation, a planning application had to be submitted to Hillingdon Borough Council as well as submit an airspace change to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Andy Knight also explained that there were community forums to allow Heathrow to connect and engage with residents on various issues. He also informed that residents could find Heathrow’s Noise Action Plan. He then briefly explained Heathrow’s noise strategy and Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

Councillor Wisdom Da Costa asked what the cost would be for the installation of the new taxiways. Andy Knight replied that he did not know the cost, but he offered to find out the figure and reply back outside of the meeting.

ACTION: Andy Knight to forward to Councillor Da Costa on the cost of the new taxiways at Heathrow.

Richard Endacott, a resident, asked if Heathrow was able to mitigate when warm weather was predicted. Andy Knight replied that Heathrow could not; rather it depended on wind direction, not temperature. For reasons of safety, Andy Knight explained, aircraft had to land and take off into the wind. He also informed that Heathrow enacted ‘Westerly preference’ where if the wind blow was low, the western runway was used.

When asked by Richard Endacott on whether Heathrow could use the southern runway, Andy Knight explained that it could not be used for landings due to the historical Cranford Agreement. In spite of the agreement having expired, Heathrow had to go through the planning process with Hillingdon Council to enable the groundworks. In addition, Heathrow had to go through the airspace change process to enable departures and airspace.

Nigel Griffin, a resident, was critical with the Heathrow update. He asserted that there were promises to address the easterly operations, and criticised Heathrow’s long-term plans which would be completed by 2029 as well as the long planning process to place tarmac on the southern runway. Andy Knight replied that easterly alternation remained a key commitment. He added that the first planning application to Hillingdon Borough was turned down, which was then taken up to a planning enquiry; therefore, extending the period. In the end, Heathrow won the inquiry through appeal and permission was granted. Plans commenced for a third runway expansion, but the Covid pandemic had put those plans hold on. As a result, the planning permission from Hillingdon expired, and therefore Heathrow had to start the process again, a timeframe set by government.

Andy Knight also explained that the southern runway could be used in an emergency, but it could not be used for prolonged periods of time without permission from Hillingdon.

Councillor Knowles asked if Andy Knight could attend the Aviation Forum. Andy Knight welcomed the opportunity.

Sarah Walker, a resident, asked how Windsor could access some of the funds for community projects. Andy Knight replied that this could be found of the Heathrow Community Trusts website where residents could find information on how to apply as well as how funds had been allocated around Heathrow, including Windsor, such as village halls and schools.