Heathrow expansion and aircraft noise
About Heathrow airport
Have your sayHeathrow airport is owned and operated by BAA plc (formerly British Airports Authority). The company was privatised in 1997. You can find out more about the company by visiting www.baa.co.uk and Heathrow by visiting www.heathrowairport.com.
Runway alternation
The airport has two main east-west runways. At any one time one is being used for departures and the other for arrivals. Operations are reversed at around 3pm each day. The pattern is also changed weekly so that the runway used for departures in the mornings one week is used for arrivals in the following week.
This alternation provides considerable relief for residents living close to the airport. Wandsworth residents receive less benefit as aircraft still need to cross the borough when lining up to the northern runway.
The system works well when the wind is from the west. Westerly operations mean that landing aircraft approach Heathrow from the east passing over central London . Departing aircraft go out over Windsor .
When the wind is from the east landing aircraft approach from over Windsor . Departing aircraft always use the southern runway and depart to the east. Some of these go out directly over Tooting.
Changes to the Cranford Agreement
The northern runway cannot be used for departures to the east. This is because of the long-standing Cranford Agreement, which seeks to protect houses close to the end of this runway. This will now change following the Transport Secretary's decision in favour of a new third runway in January 2009.
