A welcome new approach to runway 03 at Biggin Hill Airport to deliver significant noise reduction benefits is making significant progress as a trial is set to commence from next week.
The trial of this new approach to runway 03 is set to commence from Thursday 13 November following Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval of Biggin Hill Airport’s plan. The trial is expected to last six months, with aircraft beginning to fly this approach, subject to weather conditions. Initially the trial will see selected operators flying the new approach, with the number of aircraft movements involved expected to expand during the course of the trial over the coming months.
The current approach to runway 03 is known as the ‘circling approach’ and sees aircraft initially approach from the north and then fly visually to land at the airport from the south on runway 03, which often involves overflying residential areas and causing noise disturbance for residents. The new Instrument approach to runway 03 involves approaching the airport initially from the east over more rural areas, to then fly over the airport and come round to land on runway 03 from the south. Aircraft are also expected to be able to remain at a higher height during the majority of the alternative approach with the noise benefits this brings, in comparison to the current circling approach once aircraft leave the Instrument Landing System approach to the north of the airport.
Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL) has been progressing their trial plan with the CAA, with the Council supporting the plan, including by writing on behalf of residents under the flightpath to the CAA to advocate for proposal. BHAL are now developing an Airspace Change Proposal in parallel with the trial to submit to the CAA that would make the alternative approach to runway 03 permanent.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “The council is delighted that the airport is now able to trial this new approach. This is incredibly welcome news for our residents under the current flightpath, with this new approach to runway 03 set to provide significant noise benefits. We are hopeful that the trial will be successful and prove to have lasting benefits and we will continue to support this new approach however we can, on behalf of Bromley residents.”
The current proposed alternative approach is a revised proposal from BHAL following the CAA’s decision in December 2022 not to approve the initial proposed Instrument Approach Procedure for runway 03 on safety grounds. The current proposed approach looks to overcome these concerns using a technical solution involving aircraft using Radius to Fix (RF) technology, whilst following a similar route to the previous application. While most aircraft using the airport and particularly business jets are expected to have RF capability, not all aircraft will, which is expected to mean some aircraft will continue using the circling approach even if the alternative approach is made permanent.
Further information about the trial plan is available on the airport’s website.
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.