UK Government Extends London Airport Night Noise Limits
Long-delayed decisions on capacity expansion for Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton are expected soon
A long-deferred decision over whether to build a third runway at London Heathrow Airport will have little direct impact on business aviation but is part of a wider realignment of airport capacity around the UK capital.

The UK government will extend the current night noise limits for aircraft movements at London’s Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports using its quota count system.

Following a consultation conducted last year, the Department for Transport has ruled that a so-called “bridging” arrangement will apply for three years from October 2025 to allow more time for the Aviation Night Noise Effects study to be completed as the basis for longer-term arrangements.

At Stansted Airport (EGSS), which attracts significant numbers of business aircraft to a well-established enclave of FBOs, existing government limits will apply between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., with varying levels of quota count limits between the winter and summer seasons. Business aviation service providers and the British Business and General Aviation Association have previously complained that these limits impede the slot flexibility needed for ad hoc operations to be conducted alongside scheduled airline traffic.

Night quota limits at Heathrow Airport (EGLL), where slot restrictions effectively block business aviation traffic, remain unchanged and will apply between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. There are also no changes to the limits at Gatwick Airport (EGKK), with the same restricted night hours remaining in place for another three years.

Expansion Decisions Pending

Meanwhile, the UK’s Labour government is poised to make long-deferred, highly contentious decisions over plans for significant capacity expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton (EGGW) airports. The administration, which took office in July 2024, is under intense pressure to stimulate economic growth while at the same time meeting its commitments to achieve the country’s net-zero carbon objectives.

At Heathrow, a decision over whether to build a third runway has been in political limbo for at least 15 years. Having been subjected to protracted consultations and studies, the ambitious plan is now back with government ministers who are being urged to provide clarity for the airport’s new majority owner, the Saudi investment group Ardian.

Gatwick’s owners plan to extend an existing emergency runway to make it available for more flights and are expecting an approval decision by February 27. Luton Airport is awaiting an April 3 deadline for a final decision on its proposals to increase passenger traffic by 40%.

Both Stansted and London City Airport (EGLC) have already been given the go-ahead to increase passenger numbers. All of the pending airport expansion plans are based on airline demands for increased capacity, with the impact on business aviation being very much a peripheral consideration.