Gatwick is hoping to appease local people affected by aircraft noise with a £1 million new monitoring system.
Technology is being installed that claims to “dramatically improve” the monitoring of flights and associated noise.
Information is updated every second so that local residents can access data and generate reports on demand via a website expected to go live in the next few months, an app and dedicated phone line.
Noise complaints will be able to be submitted via an automated telephone line, a key request from the local community.
Up to 23 new monitoring terminals will be introduced in surrounding areas to collect noise levels, which can then be presented in real time alongside flight information from the airport radar and other airport systems.
The new technology helps to improve accessibility to noise information.
The airport hopes it will “improve understanding among local communities” by providing “one of the most accurate and up to date” noise and flight data systems.
Airlines can also use the data to analyse how they might improve the performance of their flights in terms of track keeping and noise.
Gatwick corporate affairs, planning and sustainability director, Tim Norwood, said: “While many thousands of local people benefit from Gatwick’s jobs, connections and wealth creation, we know that some residents are concerned by the impacts of aircraft noise.
“The new noise and flight track keeping system means that residents can more easily and conveniently access information, and generate reports, on aircraft noise in real time.
“The system is comprehensive, easy to use, and based on the latest technology and we very much hope that it also helps us to improve our engagement with communities that are negatively impacted by aircraft noise.”