Heathrow is suggesting changes to its standard procedures, including using both its runways for landings and allowing aircraft to depart from designated flight paths earlier to help the airport to recover from periods of disruption.
Following an eight-month trial at the airport that ended in March, it has concluded that the use of both runways for arrivals could help the airport get back to normal more quickly and reduce the impact on passengers.
It found that while more flexible use of the runways didn’t provide benefits significant enough to aid recovery from mass disruption, it did help mitigate against, and recover more quickly from, less serious disruptive events.
The report recommends that specific operational freedoms, such as more flexible use of the runways, be integrated into standard procedures as soon as possible.
It also suggests prioritising use of the southern runway for the A380 super jumbos, Terminal 4 aircraft and light aircraft, and early vectoring procedures to allow aircraft to leave the designated departure route earlier than usual, which would also make it possible for the next aircraft to depart earlier.
Departure routes were set by the Government in the 1960s so residents know where to expect noise from departing aircraft, and at the moment pilots are expected to remain within the Noise Preferential Routes until they reach 4,000 feet.
However, Heathrow director of sustainability Matt Gorman said: "The trials have shown that implementing these new procedures could help create a more punctual and efficient Heathrow.
"This would bring benefits for passengers and local residents alike by reducing late-running flights, and also benefits for the environment by reducing aircraft stacking and emissions.
"However, we recognise that there is a need to minimise other impacts on local communities and we will continue to work with HACAN and residents to achieve this."
The government has invited the Airports Commission to review Heathrow’s report, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority’s own analysis of the Operational Freedoms trial.
The Commission will publish an interim report in December, after which the Government will consider its findings together with those of the CAA and Heathrow.
