Farnborough Airport Ltd. has launched a public consultation on proposals to change the way in which they operate.
Farnborough has a rich history in aviation, having been the site of the first powered flight in the United Kingdom by Samuel Cody in 1908, before becoming a hub of aerospace development and research with the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE).
The site was controlled by the MoD until 2003, when operations were ceased and the airport was taken over by a private company for business use. At the time, the airport was restricted to 28,000 flight movements per year, of which no more than 2,500 were permitted at weekends.
This number has since increased, and today the airport at Farnborough is the largest business aviation airport in the country.
The current operators of the airport, Farnborough Airport Ltd., are seeking to expand the current total annual flight limit from 50,000 to 70,000 flights per year, and increase the annual non-weekday (i.e. weekends and Bank Holidays) flight limit from 8,900 to 18,900 flights per year.
With these proposals, Farnborough Airport Ltd. are seeking to amend the current operating hours on non-weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00, to 07:00 to 21:00.
In addition, adjustments are being sought to increase the restricted aircraft weight category from 50 to 80 tonnes to 55 to 80 tonnes and adjust the number of annual flights allowed within this category. This would enable the airport to accommodate heavier business aviation aircraft.
Whilst these proposals will likely impact all residents across Surrey Heath, with areas of the constituency falling under the sub-4000ft flight path, these proposals will likely most heavily impact residents living in Mytchett and Frimley Green, as these areas are directly underneath the flight path.
A public consultation has been launched on these proposals, and feedback can be submitted online from Wednesday 20th September on the Farnborough Airport website where there will be a virtual exhibition.
The Airport will also be hosting a number of public consultation events locally, with one taking place at Lakeside International, in Frimley Green, on Thursday 28th September between 16:00 and 20:00.
