Flight path noise targets reached

Manchester airport's second runway was opened in 2001

A target set for aircraft on one of the UK's busiest flight paths has been met for the first time by planes flying from Manchester airport.

Latest figures show 96.3% of planes travelling over neighbouring towns kept "on track" - within the flight paths which keep noise to a minimum.

The target was set with Cheshire County Council at 95% after the airport's second runway was agreed.

A record 50 airlines met the noise-reduction standards in 2004.

The noise levels are reduced in places like Knutsford if the aircraft fly a long route around the town, rather than directly over it.

The airport monitors the performance of airlines using a specially designed system which records every detail of the noise and the flight path of all aircraft operating within a 30km radius of the runway.

Knutsford was one of worst affected Cheshire towns for aircraft noise

The airport rewarded the airlines with the best track records at the Skyliners awards at Tatton Park, Cheshire.

Aer Lingus had no "track deviations" off the route in 1,595 monitored departures. The airport's busiest airline - British Airways CitiExpress met the 95% target with 20,000 departures.

John Spooner, managing director of Manchester Airport said: "Reducing the impact of our operations on our neighbours is one of our main objectives so today is very special for us.

"We are delighted to see a record number of airlines meeting our demanding environmental standards. The airlines and pilots deserve this recognition for their consistently high standard of flying.

"It is proof that our partnership approach with our customers and our neighbours, can deliver major benefits to local communities and help us manage the effect we have on local people."

The second runway - opened in 2001 - means Manchester is expected to become the UK's second busiest airport within the next 15 years.