UK DfT: Socio-economic impacts of night flying study

The government sets noise controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports as they are ‘designated’ under the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

These controls reflect the need to balance the impacts of aviation noise on communities with benefits the sector brings to the UK economy and include restrictions on night flying.

The government’s night flight regime places limits on the number and noise levels of flights allowed at the designated airports between 11.30pm and 06.00am.

The socio-economic impacts of night flying study estimates:

• the economic and social welfare impacts of night flights
• how any changes to UK night flying policy, including to the night flight regime, could impact these

Socio-economic impacts of night flying study - GOV.UK - 10 August 2026