More night flights from Birmingham set for go-ahead

Extra night flights to and from Birmingham Airport are set to be approved.

The airport has argued increased night flying is necessary to continue its growth and deliver benefits to the region's economy.

Some villagers under the flight path said night flying should be restricted further.

Councillors in Solihull, where the airport is based, are being recommended to relax the rules when they meet on 8 January.

A report prepared for the meeting stated that allowing the increase would bring "very substantial benefits" for the area's economy.

The over-arching agreement on the airport's operations was last updated 15 years ago and Solihull Council said the aviation industry had changed substantially since then.

Low-cost carriers aim to operate their aircraft for more hours in the day to maximise efficiency, which means more early morning and late night flights.

Proposed changes to the existing agreement would see an increase from 5% to 7.3% in the proportion of flights allowed to arrive or leave between 23:30 and 06:00.

More than 200 members of the public have objected to the changes as well as environmental groups and six parish councils.

Some, including Hampton-in-Arden parish council, pointed to requirements in the previous agreement to cut the number of night flights, which it said should be enforced rather than the limit relaxed.

Barston parish council also presented the results of noise measurements carried out in the village, which it said showed an increase in "noise incidents" since 2018.

However, the assessment of Solihull Council's planning officers is that the application matches national and local planning and aviation rules.

These aim to balance the impact on local people with economic growth and the rights of businesses like airports to expand.

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