Important policy change for night-time flyers at major UK airport

If you are planning on flying from Birmingham Airport, this policy change could impact you.

is a central hub for flights from the Midlands and is a major point for international travel.

The airport is seeking changes to its Night Flying Policy to reflect changes in airline operations since the original agreement was established 15 years ago.

This will enable the ongoing development of the as a regional hub and employer aiming for 18million passengers a year by 2033.

Advances in aircraft technology and scheduling have reduced the need for flights, but increased night-time operations are necessary for efficiency.

The airport seeks to raise the night-time flight percentage from 5% to an average of 7.3% annually by 2027, while independent assessments show no significant impact on noise or air quality.

Proposals include a reduced noise quota and limits, and the changes are now under review by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, with public consultations planned.

Increasing the capacity of the will likely be welcomed by many who use the airport regularly.

The airport serves the second city and many surrounding areas due to being the largest airport in the Midlands.

It has recently begun to undergo developments in order to improve its facilities and the Night Flying Policy will mean more flights are available.

Coventry Live reported that the proposal could also help to boost the local economy, it said that cited post-pandemic growth as the reason behind the application to Solihull Council.

The airport warns that without changes, the West Midlands region could miss out on 'millions' of pounds.

At the moment, no more than 4,000 flights are permitted at night annually, equating to five per cent of total air traffic movements - take-offs or landings - based on the busiest financial year for flights in the past five years.

The proposal could see expand the flights it charters as a regional hub.