Aircraft Noise

Current flight paths were established when the airport started operations almost 60 years ago and have not changed since. However, we are currently consulting on an Airspace Change Proposal which looks to modernise our arrival and departure routes and could change where some aircraft fly compared to today. There is more information here.

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 Flight Track monitoring system. Members of the public can access this 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.

However, we are currently consulting on an Airspace Change Proposal which looks to modernise our arrival and departure routes and could change where some aircraft fly compared to today. There is more information here.

Glasgow Airport have launched a new offering for tracking flight movements. The Flight Tracking Portal provides live noise tracking data on all flights operating to and from Glasgow Airport. This enhanced 3D tool provides our neighbouring communities with a modelled, real-time noise footprint for all air traffic movements operating on the flight path relevant to their property. You can access the tool here.

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.

Glasgow Airport Flight Tracking Portal shows near-real-time live (~ 3-minute delay) air traffic data. You can also playback data from recent weeks and months. This new system provides a modelled noise footprint enabling many more residents to see the expected noise level at a point on the flight path nearest their property whilst viewing live air traffic movements.

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 will be launching our Noise Insulation Scheme for eligible homes in January 2025 based on 2024 noise contour data. Please check back here for more information closer to the time.

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.

We are currently consulting on an Airspace Change Proposal which looks to modernise our arrival and departure routes and could change where some aircraft fly compared to today. There is more information 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 Noise Complaints section below. We also offer a flight tracking portal so you can see where aircraft fly today.

For any queries or to log a noise complaint, please use our webform here and our dedicated noise team will respond within 5 working days.

Alternatively you may email: GLAnoise@glasgowairport.com