Union vows to oppose using night flights to ease travel chaos

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “We are focused on minimising disruption for passengers this summer, and working with airports on when it could be appropriate to use their powers to allow additional night flights in certain circumstances.

“These powers would allow airports to minimise serious disruption and hardship to passengers, while making sure local residents are not unduly affected by noise.

“Any changes to overall night flight quotas would be subject to consultation.”

However, Paul Beckford, a spokesman for HACAN – the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise – said: “The recent disruption at some airports is entirely of the industry’s making, therefore, it would be completely unacceptable for them to be rewarded for their own incompetence.

“Flights during the night period are the most intrusive for local communities and there is clear evidence that they cause significant harm to physical and mental health – to increase this harm should be unconscionable. The Government must stand firm and make clear that it will not permit any relaxation or extension of current night flight limits.”