Research and analysis

Socio-economic impacts of night flying study

Estimates the economic and social welfare impacts of night flights and how this would be impacted by changes to UK night flying policy.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 10 August 2026

Documents

Socio-economic impacts of night flying: literature review

PDF, 1.48 MB, 51 pages

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Socio-economic impacts of night flying: methodology report

PDF, 1.41 MB, 56 pages

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Socio-economic impacts of night flying: model output report

PDF, 1.96 MB, 78 pages

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Details

The government sets noise controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports as they are ‘designated’ under the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

These controls reflect the need to balance the impacts of aviation noise on communities with benefits the sector brings to the UK economy and include restrictions on night flying.

The government’s night flight regime places limits on the number and noise levels of flights allowed at the designated airports between 11.30pm and 06.00am.

The socio-economic impacts of night flying study estimates:

• the economic and social welfare impacts of night flights
• how any changes to UK night flying policy, including to the night flight regime, could impact these

Published 10 August 2026