THE boss of Farnborough Airport has insisted steps will be taken to minimise disturbance caused by the inevitable increase in air traffic during the Olympics next year.

Brandon O’Reilly, chief executive officer of TAG Farnborough Airport, said the airport was working with the community to prevent added noise pollution as part of a ‘quiet flying programme’.

He said: “This is focused on reducing the effect of noise by, among other initiatives, routing aircraft over less densely populated areas.

“Noise complaints are at their lowest level since 2006 and we fully expect that trend to continue – even with some increase in the usual number of flights just before and after the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games.

“We believe the work we have done to mitigate the noise effect on the community will really be noticed.

“The Department for Transport factors in how many flights there are going to be. TAG Farnborough Airport will always remain well within permitted noise limits.”

Mr O’Reilly said the current number is around 20 complaints per month, but this figure had been as high as 100 in the past.

“The airport is not as noisy as it was,” he said. “As time goes by, aircraft get quieter. Over time, the noise from them actually shrinks because we have had improvements in aircraft.”

While next summer’s Games will see a significant increase in flight movements, some feel this will be accepted by local people because of the occasion of the Olympics.

“It is something that most residents are willing to accept because it is measurable,” said Geoff Marks, chairman of the Farnborough Airport Residents' Association. “The short-term increase in the number of movements arriving is because of TAG’s accommodation of the Olympic Games.

“I would say most residents would recognise the benefit to the national economy and will be prepared to put up with the increase in planes that arrive.”

There is a significant number of residents who live under the airport’s flights paths.

Councillor James Radley, who represents Church Crookham East for Hart District Council, said: “One thing we are aware of, it is during the summer months.

“This is when people will have their windows open and are out in their gardens, when the noise is of most disturbance.

“The Olympic Games are in the summer and there will be more flights – and I think it will lead to people being more annoyed, unfortunately.

“I am sure TAG must be conscious there will be noise annoyance consequences and they have decided to set aside the fact that they know they are going to cause increased noise annoyance for business commitments. That is their choice.”

The Olympic Games will take place between July 27 and August 12.

Earlier this year, TAG Farnborough Airport was granted approval by the government, to gradually increase the number of permitted flights a year from 28,000 to 50,000.

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