CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a decision to reject Leeds Bradford Airport’s (LBA) plans for noisier night time flights.

Leeds City Council has announced it has rejected LBA’s controversial proposal, known as a CLEUD, which would have allowed older and noisier aircraft to operate at night.

The Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) has welcomed the decision and called on the Council to similarly reject the one remaining CLEUD, which would allow unrestricted night flights for the newer aircraft fleets.

Leeds Bradford Airport has called the decision “disappointing” but said it “will not affect future operations”.

GALBA hopes the council will also reject LBA's one remaining CLEUD.

Nick Hodgkinson, chair of GALBA, said: “We’re delighted that Leeds City Council has rejected LBA’s attempts to fly noisier aircraft at night.

“We were always confident that this was the only lawful and responsible decision they could make.

“It’s also the only decision that was in keeping with the purpose of the rules – to protect public health by putting a limit on night flights."

He added: “There’s no such thing as a ‘quiet’ passenger jet and there’s no such thing as ‘clean’ jet fuel.

"Every extra night flight means more harm to people’s health and more pollution, damaging our climate and the air we breathe.

“GALBA congratulates Leeds City Council for making a responsible decision that puts its residents and our environment first.”

Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We’re disappointed with this decision but remain confident in our legal understanding of the planning conditions.

“We will be considering what this decision means for the airport and the appropriate next steps.

“This will ensure that Leeds Bradford Airport can serve the Yorkshire region appropriately, operating a compliant schedule of flights with its airline partners.

“To reassure our passengers, the decision will not affect current scheduled flights and given it relates to older, noisier aircraft which LBA already has a penalty scheme in place to prohibit flying in the night time period, the decision will not affect future operations.”