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Date: 24th December 2004 Richard Samuel Dear Richard, Proposed Night Flying Policy, Manston Airport Many thanks for your letter of 17th December, and I note that you have delegated authority from your Council to negotiate details of the proposed policy. Many thanks for seeking the views of -Canterbury City Council. Within the timescale you have set out, it is not possible for me to get a formal view of the Council's Executive or, indeed, of either of the Area Member Panels which represent Whitstable and Heme Bay. I have, however, had the chance to consult with the Leader, and our views are as follows. Canterbury City Council notes the proposal for twelve additional aircraft movements per week between the hours of 2300 and 2400, and four additional aircraft movements per week between the hours of 2400 and 0100 during the summer season 2005. Despite reservations (see below) we do not wish to.oppose this Rroposal on the basis that the development and profitability of EUjet is such a significant factor in d,eveloping the East Kent economy. Nevertheless, we believe that Thanet District Council's proposal that all the additional flights shall be from the west on runway 28 is not only undesirable, in that it would place an unfair burden on the coastal areas of our District, but also is not possible in aviation terms. As I understand it, the take-off and landing direction of aircraft using Manston Airport is determined mainly by the wind direction, and this will inevitably mean, again looking at recent figures, that the majority of the 8 aircraft movements will be over the Thanet coastal area rather than our own. This may be the reason why, in your stated position, you say that your preferred direction is subject to there being "aviation reasons to the contrary". So, in summary , our position is that we reluctantly accept the additional flights, on the clear understanding that the aviation direction of those flights is determined by aviation reasons, rather than any other and that all possible steps are taken to minimise disturbance for residents of our District. We would also ask you to seek an assur~ce from EUjet that any flights which cross the coastline of our District should at that point be at a minimum of 2300 feet to alleviate potential noise to residents. With Best Wishes, Colin Carmichael Chief-Executive |
