Updated, 22.06.26

London City Airport consulted on proposed RNP AR approach procedures between 2 March and 17 May 2026. The consultation related to additional final approach procedures and the types of aircraft able to operate at the airport.

The Soundproof Windows submitted observations focused on how aircraft noise is experienced inside homes. Our interest was not in airspace design itself, but in the practical residential consequences of aircraft noise, especially where external noise assessment does not fully describe internal living conditions.

Noise contours and external modelling are important tools for understanding aviation impact, but residents experience aircraft noise inside bedrooms, living rooms and workspaces. The internal result can vary substantially depending on building type, facade condition, ventilation routes and whether windows can realistically remain closed.

Aircraft noise is often experienced as a sequence of individual events rather than a constant background sound. For residents, particularly during early morning, evening or night-time periods, maximum noise events can be highly relevant to sleep, rest and concentration.

This does not replace averaged metrics. It complements them by asking whether the internal residential experience is adequately understood.

Many homes affected by aircraft noise are older properties with complex facade conditions. Sash windows, shallow reveals, conservation constraints, imperfect airtightness and the need for ventilation can all influence how aircraft noise is experienced indoors.

As with rail noise, acoustic mitigation that depends heavily on keeping windows closed should be considered alongside realistic ventilation and overheating conditions.

Our response encouraged greater attention to internal residential conditions, maximum noise events and the practical interaction between acoustic mitigation, ventilation and existing housing stock.

Implementation instruction: Add the full submitted London City Airport response in a collapsible accordion if available. If the final response text is not available, keep this section as a summary only and add a note that the page summarises the themes raised.