New airport flight paths proposed

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7255717.stm:

Plans to move flight paths in and out of major British airports away from built up areas have been launched by the firm that manages UK air traffic.

National Air Traffic Services says its plans would cut by 20% the number of people affected by noise from departing planes flying below 4,000ft (1,219m).

Airports including Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and London City may be affected.

The new flight paths could be in place by spring 2009 if the Civil Aviation Authority gives Nats the go-ahead.

Nats says it will hold a 13-week consultation with people and organisations from across five affected areas – Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and north-east Essex; the Chilterns and Luton; east Hertfordshire and west Essex; west and north-west London, and east London and south-east Essex.