Every extra plane we fly pollutes the air we breathe, harms human health, releases greenhouse gases and damages our fragile climate.
For three years in a row, LBA has flown hundreds of aircraft over and above what is allowed under the Night Flight Regulations, yet Leeds City Council has taken no effective enforcement action to stop this illegal activity.
But thankfully, the LBA's attempt to rewrite the night flight rules was rejected.
But an airport spokesperson said LBA would continue to operate in accordance with its “interpretation” of the night flight rules, even if attempts to change the rules failed and the appeal would not be heard until March.
If I tell the council they can't stop me because I hold regular raves in my garden and have a different 'interpretation' of planning regulations, do you think they'll let me continue? It seems like LBA has one rule and everyone else has another. This is completely unfair and we need to take enforcement action now.
We all know that we must reduce greenhouse gases, not increase them. Contrary to LBA's claims, the increase in air travel is not “great news for our region” but rather disastrous. One need only think about the deadly floods in Spain and Pakistan this year to understand why we need to reduce greenhouse gases as soon as possible. Expanding the LBA means more, more greenhouse gases.
nick hodgkinson
Chair of Leeds and Bradford Airport Action Group (GALBA)
