Night flights 'breach human rights'

Heathrow: Sixteen flights a night

STRASBOURG, France -- An anti-noise group has won a key European Court of Human Rights case that could lead to a reduction in overnight flights at UK airports.

The European Court of Human Rights said on Tuesday that overnight flights at Heathrow airport in west London violated residents' basic human rights.

The UK government, against which the case had been brought, will now have to consider the question of flights at Heathrow between 11.30 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The case had been brought against the UK Department of Transport by eight residents living near Heathrow, each members of the anti-noise group HACAN ClearSkies.

Richmond Park Member of Parliament Jenny Tonge said after the verdict: "This is wonderful news. This has been a very long fight and it is a step in the right direction."

HACAN chairman John Stewart added: "This is great news for people living under the flight path at Heathrow.

"A small group of residents has taken on the UK government and won. The government may appeal, but I don't think it will.

"Within 18 months we could see an end to overnight flights at Heathrow."

Stewart said: "This ruling today has opened the way for residents' groups across Europe to challenge night flying.

"The ban at Heathrow could be the first of many in the UK and Europe."

A spokesman for airport operator BAA at Heathrow said: "We must wait and see how the government responds to this European Court of Human Rights ruling to understand what the impact may be for Heathrow.

"We have always recognised there is a difficult balance for government to strike on night flights between passengers' demand to fly, airlines' operational requirements, and the impact on local communities.

"We remain committed to working with all interested parties, including the aviation industry and local community representatives, to seek to find improvements to the present situation."