Heathrow plans to trial a steeper approach for landing aircraft in a bid to cut noise levels, following introduction fo a similar scheme at Frankfurt.
Aircraft currently approach Heathrow to land at an angle of 3 degrees. The airport will trial a slightly steeper approach angle of 3.2 degrees from mid-September 14 to test whether approaches of up to 3.5 degrees are possible.
The trial has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority and is due to run until mid-March 16.
In a statement, Heathrow said: “While the trial is optional, a large number of airlines that have the necessary standard of navigational equipment for this approach are expected to take part.
“Steeper approaches, along with other new operating procedures and new aircraft technology will ensure that even with expansion at the airport, fewer people around Heathrow would be affected by aircraft noise than today.”
The trial only applies to aircraft on their final approach, about 10 miles from touchdown at Heathrow.
The announcement came as Heathrow revealed passenger numbers rose by almost 5% in July to a record 7.29 million against the same month last year.
July 31 saw the most passengers ever using Heathrow at 254,375.