QUESTIONS have been raised over the need to extend the hours of dual runway operations (DRO) at Manchester Airport, with aircraft movements seemingly lower now than a five-year spell a decade ago.

Manchester Airport Group bosses are bringing in extended use of both runways from next summer in a bid to capitalise on increased demand for landings and take-offs.

Civil Aviation Authority figures show that despite processing a record number of passengers in 2016, the airport saw 183,731 landings and take-offs last year – a figure lower than those recorded each year between 2003 and 2008.

Jeff Gazzard, of the Manchester Airport Environment Network, said: “In 2006, 229,729 air traffic movements took place at the airport, transporting 22,422,855 passengers – on average 98 per plane load. This was the highest number of ATMs ever in the airport’s history.

“Last year, 2016, 183,731 aircraft carried 25,637,054 passengers, an average of 140 passengers per aircraft movement, a relatively efficient use of the airport’s capacity as holidaymakers – more than 90 per cent of all passengers travelling through the airport – flew longer distances on larger planes.

“Whilst this is unhelpful for climate change, it is instructive to see how the runway capacity has been used over the last decade.”

Mr Gazzard, along with town councillors and concerned residents, were briefed by the airport’s community engagement manager on the plans last week.

Since Runway 2 – the strip closest to Mobberley – opened in 2001, the airport has been able to use DRO to increase the volume of aircraft arriving and departing.

With 27 million passengers passing through the hub in the 12 months from July 2016, Manchester Airport bosses are now looking to employ DRO for more prolonged periods from next summer.

From summer 2018, it is proposed that DRO will be active from 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 6am to 4pm on Saturdays, and 6am to 9.30am and 1pm to 9pm on Sundays.

Runway data sheets currently available on the airport’s website indicate that it employs DRO during the morning peak and again in the afternoon/evening, otherwise using Runway 1.

Mr Gazzard said: "MAG PLC management have told us that this isn’t a consultation exercise and that they are going to simply press ahead and create more noise over Plumley, Knutsford and Mobberley, at this end of the airport’s noise impact zone, with no word on compensation, better insulation or any mitigation proposals.

"We will work closely with all our local authorities to see what can be done to delay this change whilst we better understand why it’s needed and the exact environmental impact over our heads."

A Manchester Airports spokesman said: “Manchester Airport has seen a significant increase in air traffic and passenger volume since 2010, with demand spreading to the traditionally quieter periods of the day, when runway two is closed.

“Therefore, to cope with the increased demand, outside of the traditional peak slots, a decision has been made to lengthen the hours runway two is in operation from June 2018 onwards.

“Although aircraft movement levels are not at their all-time highest, the new profile of flights, schedules and aircraft types, creates the need for the extended use. We remain committed to only using runway two when seasonal airline schedules necessitate this need.

“We appreciate the impact caused by our operations and as we play the role of job creator and economic generator for the region, our community teams will work closely with local residents throughout the process.”

See manchesterairport.co.uk/dual-runway-use for more information and community engagement dates.