NIGHT flights could cause twice the damage to the environment of daytime flights, according to research published in science journal Nature.
Experts at Leeds University studied the impact of high-altitude condensation trails (contrails) left by aircraft.
They found flights between 6pm and 6am contribute 60%-80% of the warming caused by contrails, but these were just one-quarter of the flights during the period studied.
However, neither of the bodies responsible for UK aviation – the Department for Transport or air traffic control body NATS, which handled more than two million flights in the UK last year – could give details of the number of aircraft at night.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority pointed out it is not responsible for the environmental impact of flying.
Nature reported that moving night flights to the day would save the equivalent of 2.5% of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
- The DfT announced earlier this month that night flight limits will remain at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted for at least six years. There are no restrictions at other airports.