Kent group backs international calls for ban on night flights
Gatwick Airport has over 14,450 night flights a year, flying over those seeking sleep
A Kent aviation community and environment group is joining hundreds of groups today calling for a ban on night flights to and from airports.
The Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions group (CAGNE) is one of 210 groups to sign an International Declaration calling for a ban on flights from 23:30 to 06:30.
CAGNE is an umbrella group representing communities in Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
It says one of the biggest issues residents living near Gatwick Airport face is sleep deprivation:
"“One of the biggest issues residents have raised with CAGNE during the summer at public events is the impact of night flights as they try to sleep in heat, with windows closed to stop the noise.
"“Sleep deprivation caused by aircraft noise can lead to serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, impaired cognitive development in children, mental health problems, sleep disturbance, and even diabetes."
Gatwick Airport has over 14,450 night flights a year, including both arrivals and departures.
The International Declaration 'Stay Grounded' has marked September 13 as International Day for the Ban on Night Flights at Airports.
It writes: "the damage to health and the climate is disproportionate to any alleged necessity of take-offs and landings at night."
Night flights have an outsized climate impact as most heating contrails form at night.
"Banning night flights would immediately reduce the climate impact of aviation, without waiting for the implementation of contrail avoidance measures" says CAGNE.
The Gatwick Airport group also raised issues regarding a lack of public transport at night, to transport both flyers and workers, and light pollution impacting residents and nature.
As of 9 September 2025, 210 aviation groups have signed the Declaration.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for defining Night-Time restrictions which are based on movements and quota count.
At Gatwick Airport, the loudest aircraft types (QC8, QC16) are prohibited from operating during the night period (23:00 – 07:00) and QC4 aircraft may not be scheduled to operate during this time.
At Heathrow Airport, the Government has limited Night-Time operations to 5,800 take-offs and landings a year. A night quota limit is also in place, which caps the amount of noise the airport can make at night.