Aircraft Noise

Current flight paths were established when the airport started operations and have not changed since. We will be embarking on an Airspace Change Programme, however, which will look at current departure routes of aircraft. 

There are now larger aircraft operating at Glasgow Airport which can appear lower to ground observers. Aircraft landing at Glasgow come in on a 3 degree glideslope and this hasn’t changed. The combination of altitude and temperature can sometimes affect the performance of planes as they take off; for example, hot weather can affect the ability of an aircraft to climb as quickly as normal. You can find information regarding specific flights and the height above the ground using our WebTrak system.  Members of the public can access WebTrak here. 

Regrettably, it’s not possible to vary the path of arriving aircraft to avoid specific locations – even by a few hundred yards. Current technology and safety requirements dictate ‘straight in’ final approaches along a path which is essentially a 3-degree slope along the extended centreline of the runway and therefore entirely dependent on its orientation. Consultation for our airspace change will be commencing imminently, any feedback on this should be provided to this forum.

Webtrak is our platform to enable the community to review flights and noise in the vicinity of Glasgow Airport. Noise and aircraft track/altitude information on WebTrak is updated every 15 minutes. 

The airport is operational 24 hours a day however we do endeavour to minimise noise during the night i.e. aircraft engine runs, training etc.

Our Noise and Track Keeping system, uses an interface called Webtrak to display flight tracks to the public, we also use a similar interface to investigate internally any noise feedback. This takes a direct data feed from Air Traffic Control, derived from radar signals returned from aircraft in the air; the tracks and altitudes shown are therefore an accurate representation of the routes actually flown.  This system also indicates the actual noise levels based on the surrounding aircraft traffic at our two monitoring sites which are calibrated regularly. 

While the number of aircraft has increased, they are significantly quieter than the previous generation of aircraft which they replace. Consequently, whilst activity has increased, the noise footprint of Glasgow has actually shrunk.  All aircraft must fly within our limits of 94dB through the day and 87dB during the night.  We have noise monitors at each side of the Runway which record the noise from every aircraft and financially incentivise operators to utilise more efficient, quieter aircraft, at Glasgow Airport.

We have committed to publishing a Noise Insulation Policy within 12 months of publication of our Noise Action Plan.  For details on assistance currently available to those living close to the airport, please refer to the Noise Action Plan.

Glasgow Airport is responsible for the control of noise and vibration caused by engine ground running on the airfield. It is the policy of Glasgow Airport to ensure that engine testing is carried out in a manner which will cause the least disturbance to the surrounding community.

To this end, there will be no ground running of aircraft engines at any time within the boundary of Glasgow Airport without the consent of the Airside Operations Duty Manager.  To minimise disturbance, engine runs will normally only be granted during the following local times; 0500 - 0700 low power and/or short power runs (maximum 5 minutes) & 0700 - 2300 high power, extended runs.

From time to time Police Scotland, HM Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service operate within the vicinity of Glasgow Airport.  These operations are outwith our control and are frequently associated with emergency situations requiring a rapid response to protect life and property.  There are some helicopter excursion/experience companies located near the airport who offer trips. Often these companies take off and land on private land outwith the airport.  They are given clearance to take off by Air Traffic but we have no control over the route they take.

Companies such as the Glasgow Flying Club and Leading Edge, together with University of Glasgow Air Squadron operate smaller aircraft and frequently take off and land at Glasgow.  Often, once clearance is given they will head to areas of unrestricted airspace.  Their route is outwith our control.  Sometimes, if our runway is busy with scheduled arrivals and departures, Air Traffic will instruct them to hold until we can safely integrate them with scheduled aircraft movements.

Glasgow Airport are currently undertaking an Airspace Change Programme (ACP) where we will review the routes of aircraft to and from the airport. You can follow the progress of our ACP, register your interest and find useful information including the CAA rules on undertaking an ACP at here. 

We appreciate that aircraft noise can at times disturb our neighbours, and we provide the facility to log a noise complaint if you wish to do so.  There are various ways in which you can do this. Please refer to our Policy on Handling of Noise Complaints below

We recognise that noise can be an important issue for our local communities.  This Policy explains how enquiries and complaints are received and investigated, and outlines the process for those wishing to make a complaint.

We will register and investigate all complaints.  However, to do so, we require as a minimum your name, address, postcode, and specific details of your complaint.  This should include the date and time of an incident and the reason for your complaint (noise, off-track, low flying aircraft etc.) All personal information provided will be handled in line with our published privacy notice.

Whilst we appreciate that this may be an emotive issue for some, please note that we will not respond to anyone using threatening/abusive language or otherwise choosing to engage with us in a non-constructive manner.

1. Using our online form is the quickest route, easy to complete, and ensures we get all the information we require to progress your complaint. You can find this on our website here.

2. You may also leave a message on our noise voicemail service – 0800 013 2429 however please note that it may take up to three working days for a response and this may be delayed if we require to engage further with you verbally to gather all the information necessary to progress your complaint.

3. Providing your concern is aircraft related you may still use our email: glanoise@glasgowairport.com 

4. For any other comments which do not relate to noise please use the Glasgow Airport feedback form which can be found on our website here.

If you wish, our WebTrak facility is also available through our website here. This will allow you to track an aircraft, and check its altitude and noise levels recorded on our noise monitoring equipment.

We will:

1. Register your complaint.

2. Investigate the cause of a complaint arising from specific issues you have identified.

3. Provide you with factual information around the noise event you have reported and confirm it has been recorded.

4. Take appropriate action if any operators are identified as being in breach of our published noise levels.

We will not:

1. Repeatedly provide the same information.

2. Collate/analyse excessive volumes of data unrelated to pursuing a specific noise complaint incident.

3. Answer questions relating to airspace change via this process, questions in this regard should be directed to the airspace consultation process.

4. Answer questions regarding the general perception of an increase in noise or other trend related matters.

We analyse complaints on a monthly basis to establish emerging trends, this ensures that we keep up to date with any community concerns and consider any action that may reduce disturbance.  The number of complaints received and the nature of enquiries is reported both to our Management Team and the Airport Consultative Committee.

We can only investigate airport operations relating to Glasgow Airport.  We aim to investigate and respond where possible within 3 working days (providing sufficient information has been provided at the point of initial enquiry).