London Ashford (Lydd) Airport in Kent claims that its flight tests using a Boeing 737-300 have been a ”great success,” but the news has not been greeted with universal enthusiasm by local residents.
The aircraft spent several hours at the airfield, performing a series of take-offs and landings, as well as missed approaches using the new instrument landing system and accompanied on board by a party of Kent business leaders, politicians and journalists.
”There has been a lot of misinformation about flight paths and jets screaming over rooftops,” said Lydd Airport managing director Zaher Deir, adding: ”I”d like to point out that even when we have built up our passenger levels to 500,000 a year, that equates to approximately 18 aircraft movements a day ” just nine take offs and nine landings.”
Predictably however, those living in proximity to the airport are less than pleased at the tests and have not been slow to express their ire. ”The test demonstrated to the residents of Romney Marsh and surrounding areas that large jet aircraft will have an adverse impact on the quality of life,” said a spokeswoman for Lydd Airport Action Group (LAGG).
”We believe this flight underestimated the nose that would occur when aircraft are flying commercially, as it had 25 passengers compare to its maximum capacity of 140 and took place in favourable weather conditions.”
And despite hailing the test as a success, Lydd Airport itself confirmed it had more than 200 complaints. The airport is currently undertaking a public consultation programme with a view to building a new 500,000 capacity terminal and increased runway length.
http://www.lydd-airport.co.uk/