The UK’s Farnborough Airport today submitted its proposal to gradually increase its annual flight limit from 50,000 to 70,000 movements between now and 2040. The application to the local Rushmoor Borough Council ollows a consultation process that closed on October 18.
The privately owned London-area airport has made some changes to its application in response to the public consultation, which included six exhibitions to show plans to residents and surrounding communities that involved more than 1,200 people. For instance, the airport has withdrawn a request to adjust weekend operating hours and will instead retain the current 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. schedule.
Responding to concerns over the rate at which traffic could grow, the Farnborough management team is proposing a gradual increase to the overall annual limit of 70,000 movements, including 18,900 on weekends, by 2040. The current weekend limit is 8,900 per year.
The proposals also include allowing more aircraft weighing between 55 and 80 tonnes to ease limits on newer, quieter aircraft such as the Bombardier Global 7500. According to the airport, this change had the strongest support from those involved in the consultation.
Farnborough Airport has agreed to provide grants to support noise insulation of buildings that it said have the most generous eligibility criteria of any UK airport. It is also establishing a sustainability fund that will be allocated to community environmental projects.
Under UK planning laws, Rushmoor Borough Council now has 16 weeks to hold a “statutory consultation” in which interested parties, including surrounding counties and city officials, can provide further input. As such, the application can be expected to go before the council’s planning committee in March 2024. At that point, it can either be approved or rejected, after which a lengthy appeal to the central government could be initiated.
“We have gone to great lengths to understand the opinions and priorities of local residents and stakeholders regarding our proposed changes,” said Farnborough Airport CEO Simon Geere. “We are thankful to the local community for engaging in the evolution of our proposals by providing valuable feedback.”
According to data collected by Farnborough Airport, the expansion plans could support 4,100 local jobs directly and indirectly. By 2024, the business aviation gateway is expected to generate £470 million ($585 million).