A RESIDENT who joined a protest at Bristol Airport said night flights “are really disturbing our sleep” and “having a detrimental effect on our lives”.
The protest took place on Friday, September 13, as the Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) called to local residents and campaigners to meet near the airport at Felton Common car park opposite St Katherine’s Church at 6pm for a "legal and peaceful protest to mark the occasion".
Resident Racheal Dodds from, Dundry, who attended the protest with her family, said: “Night flights are really disturbing our sleep as we are right on the night path.
“Sleep deprivation is a form of torture.
“So, we've gone to bed and are falling asleep and it's just immediately your sleep is disturbed. “We need sleep to be well and healthy.
“We need sleep to be productive, form good communities and be a good neighbour. This is really having a detrimental effect on our lives.”
The protest was part of an International Day of Action has been called and some 70 airport campaign groups around the world are taking part in protests at their local airports.
Those attending the event have been asked to wear their nightclothes and bring teddies and other sleeping essentials to accentuate the fact that night flights drastically affect the sleep, health and wellbeing of many people who live under the flight path of planes flying to and from Bristol Airport.
A Bristol Airport spokesperson previously said: “We are aware of the peaceful, organised protest planned on the A38 near the Airport on Friday evening (September 13).
“The airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week under tight noise and environmental controls.
“We work closely with the airlines and North Somerset Council to remain within our consented operating limits and report all night flights and dispensations to North Somerset Council on a monthly basis.
“For summer 2023 and winter 2023/24 there were 3,806 night flights, which is within the 4,000 limit for this reporting period.
“From March 31 to August 4, 2024, we have had 1,969 night flights.”
A Bristol Airport spokesperson: “The Airport operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week under tight noise and environmental controls.
"We work closely with the airlines and North Somerset Council to remain within our consented operating limits and report all night flights and dispensations to North Somerset Council on a monthly basis.
“For summer 2023 and winter 2023/24 there were 3,806 night flights, which is within the 4,000 limit for this reporting period. From March 31 to August 4, 2024, we have had 1,969 night flights.”
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