We have been working closely with Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP and Christine Jardine MP on the issue of aircraft noise over Cramond.

We recently met with representatives of the Cramond Noise Action Group and with airport management and can report some important developments.

Inbound aircraft

Because of wind direction and the need for aircraft to land and take-off into the wind, aircraft arrive over Cramond around 70% of the time.   Whilst Edinburgh Airport’s recent flight path consultation focused on departures, the local Lib Dem team used it as an opportunity to keep up the pressure on the possibility of a new ‘offset’ arrival path.  This would involve routing aircraft so they approach the airport further to the north, away from Cramond and then making a sharp right hand turn before landing.  It is a procedure used in many airports around the world.

The airport is currently running a feasibility study on this and routing some aircraft in this way to gather pilot feedback.  It is clear that, for safety reasons, this procedure could only be used during periods of clear weather when cloud cover is not too heavy.  It would only be possible for certain aircraft types but does offer a chance for improvement, especially as aircraft technology constantly improves.

The airport has said the results of the study are expected by the end of this year.

Outbound aircraft

For the 30% of the time in which aircraft depart to the east, they are instructed to make a left turn so they avoid flying directly over Cramond.  As part of the airport’s flight path consultation, we argued strongly for this left turn to be made sharper to try and reduce aircraft noise.  We received repeated assurances from the airport that the change was operationally feasible and they could do “something meaningful” for Cramond when it came to departing aircraft.

However, the latest information we received from the airport presents a less positive picture.  They say that aircraft can be turned earlier after take off – that will help.  However, they also say the Civil Aviation Authority’s requirements for the new technology to be used by the airport and air traffic control means aircraft will have to turn at a lower angle.

The positive news is that the new technology will align aircraft into a narrower path which should make a difference and avoid aircraft from straying too far over to Cramond.  However, the benefits will not be anywhere near as significant as we had hoped or as suggested by the airport.

Working with Christine Jardine, Alex Cole-Hamilton and the Cramond Noise Action Group, we intend to press the CAA to review and, if possible, permit a sharper turn and route planes further away from Cramond.

Night time flights

When we met with the airport, we pushed again on the issue of night time flights.  Whilst the night time traffic at the airport was traditionally cargo and mail (including Royal Mail), more and more passenger flights are taking off and landing at night.

There are currently no restrictions on Edinburgh Airport’s night time operation.  We believe residents living around Edinburgh Airport should be given the same protection as those living around Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, where there are strict UK Government limits on night time noise. The airport has the option to adopt these limits voluntarily.

The airport has promised a new night time noise policy which we will review before considering how to take this matter forward.