This week, the Aviation Minister, the Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP, together with BAA and CAA who are responsible for operations at Heathrow airport, briefed MPs and representatives from Local Authorities on the main recommendations from the South East Airports Taskforce (SEAT).

SEAT was formed to develop proposals to improve punctuality, increase resilience and reduce delay at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. The Coalition Government cancelled plans for a third runway at Heathrow and has committed to retaining runway alternation. However, it does recognise the pressures on the aviation industry and the need to make Heathrow “better, not bigger” and SEAT is one element of a wider aviation strategy to achieve this.

SEAT has made a number of recommendations to improve operations at the three airports, including making changes to flight timetables to build in more contingency to cope with delays.  The taskforce also proposes the extension of the use of tactical measures to clear or prevent significant delays, including the possible use of both runways for takeoffs and landings. There is already some limited use of both runways for arrivals at Heathrow airport, typically during the 6-7am period, but the new plans could see limited dual use of runways for departures also.

The Aviation Minister made clear at the meeting that these measures would only be approved for use in “exceptional and occasional” circumstances and only following a full evidence-based assessment of the potential benefits and impacts on those who might be affected. To assess the impact, they will trial the new operating procedures for four months from 1st November 2011, followed by a period of review and assessment and a second trial during the summer, starting on the 1st July 2012 for three months.

Local MP, Mary Macleod commented after the briefing: “I accept there is a need to maximise the efficiency of operations at Heathrow airport and improve punctuality and resilience.  I therefore welcome some of the broader changes recommended by SEAT, which will reduce the number of planes stacking overhead and are beneficial to the industry, passengers and local residents. However, I am very concerned about any increase in noise and disruption that may be experienced by local residents during the trial period of new operational procedures. 

“I have written to the Aviation Minister to express my concern and seek assurances that any change to the scheduled use of runways is for emergency use only, with strictly defined criteria put in place to define such ‘emergency situations’.  I have also requested that effective measures are put in place to inform local residents of any changes to runway use as soon as these decisions are taken.

“I am pleased that both BAA and CAA have committed to providing information to residents prior to the trial starting.  They have also agreed to monitor the impact of the trial extensively so that the full impact of any changes can be properly assessed before any permanent changes to procedures are made. I would urge local residents to look out for more detailed information on the changes when they are published in the autumn and to get involved in the assessment period from March to July 2012.

“I would like to stress to local residents that the Coalition Government remains firmly committed to the use of runway alternation during normal operations. Any changes to runway alternation will be in exceptional circumstances, to clear extreme delays and may actually help to reduce the number of unscheduled flights during the night period. I will stay closely involved in the planning stages for the trial of these new airport procedures, to ensure the very best outcome for local residents and continue my campaign against night flights and for improved noise insulation for local communities.”