MANCHESTER Airport is consulting residents on plans to extend the hours of its dual-runway operations (DRO).

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.

An airport spokesman said: “We currently use both runways during the day time, but planning permission does not allow us to use Runway 2 between 10pm and 6am, unless we are doing maintenance on Runway 1 or there is an emergency.

“Communities asked us to keep the use of both runways at the same time to a minimum. Since Runway 2 opened we have been able to restrict our opening in the middle of the day and at the weekends.

“As our movement numbers have increased over recent years, we will need to change our hours for dual runway use to meet the needs of our business. 

“Our business is growing; in the last 12 months we have had more than 27 million passengers with larger aircraft and more flights.

“The changes will bring about more efficient operations, benefiting airlines and passengers by reducing delays, and offer us opportunities to bring down time when aircraft taxi, therefore reducing ground noise and emissions. 

“We do recognise that these changes will have a detrimental effect on some communities that are over-flown by aircraft both landing and departing from Runway 2.

“Depending on where you live there may be no change, or less or more aircraft.”

To help residents understand the changes, the airport is hosting community engagement events and attending council meetings.

Representatives will attend the councils of Mobberley on October 2, Plumley, Toft and Bexton on October 4, Knutsford on October 9, Over Peover on October 24, Tabley on November 13 and Lower Peover on November 15.

You can also email dual.runwayuse@manairport.co.uk or call community relations on 08000 967967.

Surgeries are held every Tuesday in Knutsford Library from 9.30am to 12.15pm and 1.15pm to 5pm, with extended hours of noon to 7pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

Outreach surgeries will take place at The Welcome Café on October 17 from 9am to 1.30pm, and at the Rajar Building in Mobberley from 3pm to 7pm on October 24.

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