INFORMATION from RELAS:
There are two issues that are threatening our region from Luton Airport's applications. Please encourage your residents to action them both asap:
A) Closing on 11 September, feedback to Civil Aviation Authority(CAA) about the airspace change(Ad6)
B) Closing on 6 September, comments via email to Inspectorate who is consulting public before approval of the Expansion of Luton Airport Planning Application
Below is information supplied by RELLAS group for Item A)
Urgent: Final Opportunity to Provide Feedback on Luton AD6 Airspace Change
Deadline: 11 September
Time is running out to make your voice heard regarding the London Luton Airport AD6 airspace change. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now conducting the final review of this process, and your feedback is critical.
Since its implementation in 2022, communities across Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, and Bedfordshire have faced a dramatic decline in quality of life, with aircraft now descending as close as 3 minutes apart, up to 18 hours a day. Independent data from Eurocontrol confirms that Luton Airport is the worst performer among London airports on key operational and environmental metrics.
Why Your Feedback Matters
Luton Airport has submitted data to the CAA for the Post Implementation Review (PIR) that benefits its own interests. It is vital that you counter this with feedback that reflects the reality of what local communities have been enduring.
How to Submit Your Feedback:
1. Click here: https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/PublicProposalArea?pID=51
2. Scroll down and select the ‘Provide Feedback’ tab at the bottom.
3. You can provide up to 6000 characters of feedback in the first box, addressing key points.
4. If you have additional documents (e.g. the RELAS report), you can mention them in the second box.
5. Important: State that the CAA can obtain the RELAS_AD6_Stage_7_Common_Submission_version_1.0 report by emailing info@relas.uk.
6. Once submitted, please email Relas at info@relas.uk to confirm you’ve provided feedback. This helps us track overall participation.
Key Findings from the RELAS Report
The 42-page scientific report commissioned by RELAS offers a detailed counter-analysis of the PIR data submitted by Luton Airport. Although the report is restricted, here are the critical points:
• Noise Pollution: The new flight paths are causing severe noise pollution, negatively impacting the daily lives of residents.
• Non-Compliance: Luton Airport has not fully adhered to regulations, particularly regarding noise management and airspace changes.
• Evidence: The report includes comprehensive data on noise levels and flight patterns, illustrating the harm caused to affected communities.
• Recommendations: A full review and potential redesign of the AD6 airspace are necessary to mitigate these issues.
Recommended Solutions
Based on RELAS findings, we suggest the following measures:
1. Operational Management:
o Implement smooth, quiet descents and ban routes requiring excessive speed brakes.
o Limit descent rates to 2,000 ft/min, especially at night.
o Avoid concentrated flight paths over narrow areas in short periods.
o Enforce penalties for flight path deviations and use of extended flight patterns when necessary.
2. Noise and Environmental Impact:
o Stop repetitive disturbances over communities (e.g., loops, tight turns).
o Penalize airlines not using noise-reduction technology, particularly for older aircraft models.
o Improve noise monitoring standards and enforce stricter night flight restrictions.
3. Compliance and Monitoring:
o Establish an independent body to monitor and address complaints.
o Require monthly public reports on noise and CO2 efficiency.
o Apply consistent regulations across all London airports.
4. Speed and Altitude Management:
o Enforce a maximum approach speed of 220 kt and prohibit speeds over 250 kt, especially at night.
o Improve the complaints system to provide accurate aircraft altitude data.
5. Community Engagement:
o Strengthen the complaints process and remove restrictive policies, such as the ‘one reply only’ rule.
o Form regional working groups with community stakeholders to ensure better planning.
o Increase transparency in air traffic control and decision-making.
6. Halt Airport Expansion:
o Pause any plans for Luton Airport expansion until performance metrics are brought in line with Stansted and Gatwick.
Call to Action
This is your last chance to influence the final decision on the AD6 airspace changes. Please submit your feedback before 11 September and help ensure that the voices of impacted communities are heard.
Together, we can push for fairer skies.
RELAS