London residents fear a "relentless noise nightmare" during the Olympics as air industry bosses consider using night flights to cope with the surge in travel to the capital. The Civil Aviation Authority suggests easing restrictions on flights during sleeping hours at all airports while the Games takes place, it emerged today.

London airports, particularly Heathrow, already operate near full capacity during the day. Planners estimate a million extra people will visit Britain in July and August 2012. The CAA's Olympic steering group discusses a general "derestriction of noise controls" on its website. It also raises the possibility of using military air bases to meet demand, which could mean new flight paths over London.

More ideas put forward by the air experts include using "balloons" and airships, which were last used to ferry passengers in the Thirties.

Read the full article in The Evening Standard.


This would be the thin end of the wedge were it to go ahead. There is plenty of airport capacity around London - Heathrow is NOT 99% full as often stated in BAA propaganda - and night flights must not be allowed to increase via the "back door" route.