'Significant hazard to human health': Minister hits out at proposed changes to night flights

A Government minister claims a proposed relaxation of limits on night-time flights at Dublin Airport poses “a significant hazard to human health” for people living in the area.

The Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has raised objections to recommendations by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) to reduce the current ban on aircraft using the airport’s north runway by two hours from the existing one of 11pm-7am to 12midnight-6am.

It follows an application by DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport, to amend conditions attached to planning permission for a new runway that imposed restrictions on night-time flying.

A draft regulation by the ANCA has also proposed removing the existing condition which restricts the average number of aircraft movements at Dublin Airport per night between 11pm and 7am to 65 flights and replacing it with a noise quota scheme.

However, Mr O’Brien said reducing the limit on night-time flights to just six hours would still prevent affected residents from having adequate unbroken sleep given the recommendations by the World Health Organisation that a minimum of eight hours sleep is required to maintain reasonable physical and mental health.

The Green Party TD, whose Dublin Fingal constituency includes Dublin Airport, pointed out that WHO guidelines also strongly recommend that night noise levels should not exceed 40 decibels – a level considerably below the noise generated by aircraft taking off.

“Research in this area indicates that night-time aircraft noise has a statistically significant impact on excess risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease and acute cardiovascular mortality,” said Mr O’Brien.

He claimed aircraft noise at night-time also had negative effects on people’s well-being, particularly among elderly people and children.

In light of the increasing body of scientific evidence demonstrating the deleterious effects of night-time aircraft noise on human health, it is wholly inappropriate to prioritise the potential economic benefits of expanded flight hours ahead of the wellbeing of people.

In a submission to the ANCA, the Minister said the economic benefits of reduced ill-health, mortality and disability should also be considered when assessing the cost-effectiveness of reducing the limits on night-time flights.

Mr O’Brien also claimed increased flights were unnecessary and should be “actively avoided” given the Government’s national climate action objectives and the imperative need to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 1,300 submissions have been made to the ANCA about its proposed changes to limits on night-time operations at Dublin Airport as part of public consultation.

A large majority of submissions are objections to any easing of existing restrictions from residents living in the vicinity of the airport and on flight paths.

Supply chain harm

However, Aer Lingus claims restrictions on the use of the north runway will have negative consequences for other industries and international and domestic supply chains “harming both employment and the economy.” 

Ryanair claimed the proposed noise quota scheme would damage the competitiveness of Dublin Airport and said it could be a factor in where it bases its aircraft in future.

The proposed changes have been supported by IBEC, Chambers Ireland, the Irish Exporters Association and Enterprise Ireland as well as the Irish Aviation Authority.

Reporting: The Irish Examiner