Residents opposed to the new flight trials being piloted by both Heathrow and Gatwick airports have a reason to smile. After a barrage of angry comments, letters and protests, action is finally being taken. Gatwick has announced the postponing of the new flight path trials due massive opposition. A new arrangement for arriving aircraft called a point-emerge system which had been proposed by the National Air Traffic Services has also been included in the programs postponed. This comes amid widespread protests and concern expressed in East and West sussex. Gatwick Big Enough campaign organizers say this is just a partial victory. A postponement is what they have received but they were calling for a complete cancellation.
However, it is thought that Gatwick’s airportbosses have made this move so that the protests shall not mar their bid to have a new runway. The Protest groups however, say the runway will just add more planes and increase their discomfort which will defeat what they are fighting for more quiet neighborhoods.
Heathrow, on the other hand, in the face of widespread concern has pushed back the expected termination date of expected flight path trials from January 26th 2015 to November 12th this year. The trial routes are planned by the government in its strategy to modernize airspace by the end of the decade.
Officials say that the trial routes are not indicative of future flight paths but protest groups say that this gives a clear indication of how living under one would feel like. This new development has come after parliament met with residents and local authorities. Heathrow however say the trials have so far been successful in collecting massive information on route operation and how it could reduce the noise levels for residents.