Early Morning Heathrow Flights Challenged In Court

Wandsworth and Richmond councils will go to court next week in an attempt to reduce the number of early morning flight arrivals at Heathrow Airport. There are currently an average 16 flights arriving at Heathrow between the hours of 04.30 and 06.00.

The move follows the councils' previous 2005 challenge against the government's night flight arrangements, when it was discovered that some flights before 06.00 fell into the wrong noise category. These included the popular Boeing 747-400 RR.

The judicial hearing will be heard for 3 days from May 20, by Mr Justice Sullivan. The challenge is also backed by Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hillingdon councils.