Call for better Sydney airport use
In the wake of the Coalition proposing a rethink of the business and charter planes able to fly during the overnight curfew, Mr Borghetti said it made sense to also reconsider relaxing both the hourly flight cap and the use of the so-called shoulder periods from 5am to 6am and 11pm to midnight.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has proposed lifting the cap on flights from 80 to 85 flights an hour, and allowing more to land during the "curfew shoulder" at Kingsford Smith, in preference to building a second Sydney airport.
This is not part of the federal Coalition's aviation policy, but it has said that the use of quieter planes by private and business charters means that a review of the list of aircraft allowed during the 11pm to 6am curfew is warranted.
It maintains this would not result in an increase in the number of flights during the curfew period.
It has also promised to nominate a site for a second Sydney airport within the next three years.
Mr Borghetti said it made sense to relax the cap of 80 flights an hour at Kingsford Smith during the off-peak period when a large portion of people were at work.
"Primarily [the concern] is about noise. But ... in most cases people are not in the houses during the day - they are out working," he said in an interview.
"Why wouldn't you relax that cap during non-peak hours?"
Mr Borghetti said there was demand from airlines - especially low-cost and international carriers - to operate more flights during the off-peak period in the middle of the day.
"Low-cost carriers operate non-peak because they schedule their aircraft differently and their market is different. Have a look at all airlines internationally.
"If you want to go to LA [Los Angeles], or you want to go to London, most flights leave between 11am and 5pm," he said.
"I think a review is certainly justified."
Mr Borghetti said a relaxation of the cap on the use of the shoulder periods would also help alleviate the problem for airlines in timing flights from Sydney to arrive at busy airports in cities such as London, Los Angeles and Singapore.
Qantas said the hourly cap and curfew at Sydney Airport was unlikely to change in the near future.
"However, there is still considerable potential for operational efficiencies to improve the operation of the airport," a spokesman said.
Under the existing rules, no more than 24 international passenger aircraft are allowed to land each week during the shoulder periods between 5am and 6am, and 11pm and midnight.
A number of small freighter and corporate jets are also permitted to land and take off at the airport during the curfew.
These aircraft have to take off and land over Botany Bay.
Any decision on relaxing the cap and curfew rests with the federal Transport Minister in waiting, Warren Truss.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Virgin Australia chief John Borghetti is urging a review of the hourly flight cap at Sydney Airport and wants consideration given to relaxing limits during off-peak daytime hours and the so-called shoulder periods (5am–6am and 11pm–midnight) to allow more efficient scheduling.
The article says the current cap is 80 flights an hour at Kingsford Smith. NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has proposed lifting that cap to 85 flights an hour and allowing more use of the curfew shoulder periods as an alternative to building a second Sydney airport.
Relaxing the cap and shoulder-period limits could help low-cost and international carriers operate more off-peak services, make it easier to time flights to busy international hubs (London, Los Angeles, Singapore) and increase overall capacity and scheduling flexibility for passengers and airlines.
Under the existing rules described in the article, the overnight curfew runs 11pm–6am, with ‘shoulder’ periods 11pm–midnight and 5am–6am. No more than 24 international passenger aircraft are allowed to land each week during those shoulder periods. Some small freighters and corporate jets are also permitted during the curfew, with movements over Botany Bay.
The article notes the Coalition has suggested rethinking which business and charter aircraft can operate during the overnight curfew — in particular allowing quieter planes — and says a review of the list of permitted aircraft is warranted. It also says the Coalition maintains this would not increase the number of flights during the curfew period.
Qantas has indicated the hourly cap and curfew are unlikely to change in the near future, but the airline says there is considerable potential for operational efficiencies to improve how the airport operates under current rules.
Any decision to relax the hourly cap or curfew rules rests with the federal Transport Minister in waiting, Warren Truss, according to the article.
Some state proposals — including the Premier’s suggestion to lift the cap and expand shoulder-period use — are framed as a preference for making better use of the existing airport instead of building a second Sydney airport. However, the Coalition has also promised to nominate a site for a second airport within the next three years, so both options remain part of the debate.
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