Gatwick Airport Flight Performance Team Annual Report 2018 This report covers the period st st (1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018) Gatwick Airport Flight Performance Team Annual Report covering the period January to December 2018 0 Contents About Gatwick Airport ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Gatwick’s Framework for Noise Management ............................................................................................................ 2 Air Traffic Data ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Departing Aircraft ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 Departures - Track Keeping ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Airfield Noise .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Arriving Aircraft .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Operations at Night .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Night Flights ............................................................................................................................................................... 25 Aircraft Noise and Community Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 29 Complaints ................................................................................................................................................................. 33 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Gatwick Airport Flight Performance Team Annual Report covering the period January to December 2018 1 About Gatwick Airport Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport and the busiest point-to-point airport in Europe flying to over Gatwick’s Framework for Noise 228 destinations. Its continued growth has ensured Management the Airport remains a major employer and a cornerstone of the local, regional and national REGULATION economy. As a designated airport, the responsibility for aircraft We acknowledge that communities close to a busy noise policy at Gatwick ultimately lies with the international airport can be adversely affected by Department for Transport (DfT). In undertaking this aircraft noise and therefore, where possible, we responsibility, the DfT has published the noise continue to work to lessen this impact. abatement procedure for Gatwick Airport, these are contained within the Gatwick (EGKK) Aeronautical Noise matters to us and we aim to be a good Information Publication (AIP). In addition, the Airport neighbour. We have a full and comprehensive range has its own strategy for mitigating the impact of its of noise management and mitigation measures and aircraft operations on the local community. At we have a number of objectives, obligations and Gatwick, it is the responsibility of the Flight action plan actions with noise targets each year to Performance Team (FPT) to monitor and report on manage noise. These are published in our Section the adherence to these rules. 106, END Noise Action Plan, Decade of Change and Flight Performance reports together with our noise The Airport also works with in an international related key performance indicators. framework set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). One of its main activities is to With the introduction of new aircraft types, such as establish international standards, recommend the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 737-800 MAX and Airbus practices and procedure regarding technical issues of A320/A321 Neo’s, the noise footprint generated by aviation, including noise. ICAO has set progressively aircraft operations has reduced in area as older, tighter certification standards for noise emissions and noisier types of aircraft have been withdrawn. While aircraft operating in member states must conform to Gatwick Airport continues to grow, the Airport these standards. operation strives to minimise its noise impact on the surrounding area and continues to engage with those FLIGHT PERFORMANCE TEAM affected communities in identifying innovative means of mitigation. This FPT monitors operational performance for all Gatwick traffic on issues such as noise, track keeping, ABOUT THIS REPORT night flying and continuous descent operations (CDO). This report contains information on aircraft activity at the Airport and includes details of our performance The team is also responsible for recording against a number of noise mitigation measures investigating and responding to aircraft noise detailed in the UK Aeronautical Information complaints and undertaking detailed analysis as well Publication (AIP). In addition, it also includes data on as monitoring airline compliance against noise airfield performance, a report on night flights, an mitigation measures as detailed in the AIP. update on the community noise monitoring programme and an analysis of complaints received In order to facilitate this work, the Airport invests during the period. over £300,000 a year on noise monitoring. This includes a Noise and Track Keeping system that combines radar input from Air Traffic Control (ATC) Gatwick Airport Flight Performance Team Annual Report covering the period January to December 2018 2 with data from our fleet of fixed and mobile monitors The core role of the NMB is to develop, agree, oversee placed around the Airport. A full scale upgrade of this and maintain a co-ordinated noise management system was confirmed in later 2018 and will be vision and subsequent strategies for Gatwick, on delivered over 2019. behalf of stakeholders, with an aim to reduce the impact of noise on the local community. The team also actively engages with our airlines to improve their adherence to the noise mitigation NOISE AND TRACK MONITORING ADVISORY GROUP measures and, in addition, manages the night-time (NaTMAG) restrictions on flying at Gatwick. This committee includes representatives from the Airport’s Consultative Committee, local councils, the The team regularly reports to the Airport’s Flight DfT, NATS, ANS, airlines and the Airport. It meets Operations Performance and Safety Committee every quarter to discuss the Airport’s performance (FLOPSC) and to the Airport’s Noise and Track against the range of rules and regulations pertaining Advisory Monitoring Group (NaTMAG). to aircraft operations. It gives an opportunity for NOISE AND TRACK KEEPING SYSTEM representatives of local communities to scrutinise the Airport’s reports and to discuss things that may be a The Noise and Track Keeping system monitors all cause of concern. aircraft traffic within a 30 miles radius of the Airport, up to 40,000 feet, and automatically records any SUSTAINABLE AVIATION infringements of the departure noise limits, Gatwick Airport Limited is a member of Sustainable deviations from the departure flightpaths, as well as Aviation, whose long term strategy sets out the monitoring adherence to our other noise mitigation collective approach of UK aviation to tackling the measures. challenge of ensuring a sustainable future for our The Noise and Track Keeping System was previously industry. Sustainable Aviation was launched in 2005 provided by Casper but will be replaced in 2019 by a and brings together the main players from UK airlines, new system. airports, manufacturers and air navigation service providers. FLIGHT OPERATIONS PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (FLOPSC) The Flight Performance Team has worked throughout the year with the Sustainable Aviation Operations FLOPSC is made up of representatives from the Improvements Group. The ‘mission statement’ of this Airport’s operations team, the FPT, our airlines, the group is “Working with the industry in the UK and DfT, CAA, Air Navigation Solutions (ANS) and NATS. It internationally to trial and implement innovative low meets on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year to noise and emission procedures.” review operational performance, adherence to noise and track keeping rules and to share best practice. Sustainable Aviation have produced a Road Noise Map which outlines the future aspirations of the NOISE MANAGEMENT BOARD industry to reduce the impact of aircraft noise over the coming years. For more information visit: The Noise Management Board (NMB) is made up of a www.sustainableaviation.co.uk wide range of industry expects and stakeholders and as formed in response to one of the recommendations of the Independent Review of Arrivals. Gatwick Airport Flight Performance Team Annual Report covering the period January to December 2018 3 Air Traffic Data This section details how the Airport is performing in conjunction with its Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), the change in traffic numbers over the course of the year, and provides information of the types of aircraft and airlines which operate at the Airport. FIGURE 1 –