The report was commissioned by UECNA, the organization which represents communities impacted by noise from Europe’s airports (2). It was researched and written by the Aviation Environment Federation.

The report provides an analysis of night operations around Europe, looking at the implications of restrictions on the number of night flights at 31 key airports. Despite large variations in the types of restrictions and hours of implementation, all 31 airports were found to be operating large numbers of night flights.

Few airports provide clear statistics about night flights. The report calls on airports to standardise the way they publish their individual rules and statistics about night flights and to publish them annually.

Bertie Lloyd, the author of the report, said “At present information about night flights in Europe is all over the place. It is a mess. Clarity is needed for residents and policymakers.”

The report assesses the economic case for night flights as well as their impact on people’s health. It concludes “Policy makers should recognise that, at many airports, the current night noise climate is adversely impacting the health of residents and tougher restrictions on night flights, including a ban, are required”.

UECNA Chair John Stewart, “It may be unrealistic to ban all night flights but numbers could be cut considerably without harming the economy. Most night flights are run for the operational convenience of the airlines. This is particularly the case with the budget operators. And, remember, Ryanair has most night flights in Europe.”