PROTESTERS in pyjamas demanded action against night-time aircraft noise at a Yorkshire airport today.

The demonstration in Leeds was one of dozens worldwide targeting airports where campaigners say noise from night flights threatens the health of residents living beneath flight paths.

Leeds City Council regulates the flights from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) at Yeadon, about 10 miles from the city centre.

Group Against Leeds Bradford Airport (Galba), which called the protest, wants all such flights banned and has accused the airport of regularly breaking council night-flight limits.

They demonstrated outside the council headquarters at Leeds Civic Hall, calling on councillors to enforce their own rules.

Galba spokesman Ian Coatman said: “Air traffic noise is associated with serious health problems.

“The most critical include heart disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment, especially in children, as well as mental health issues like stress and depression.”

Nicky Ford, who lives in the Leeds suburb of Headingley, said: “Night flights are a nightmare. The planes wake me up all the time — it’s really bad for my health.”

More than 70 organisations worldwide have declared September 13 as International Day for a Ban on Night Flights at Airports.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The council’s monitoring of Leeds Bradford Airport’s night-time flight numbers for the 2024 summer season is an ongoing process that will continue until the end of British Summer Time in late October.
“We are therefore not in a position to comment at this stage.”

Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive officer Vincent Hodder said the airport was seeking a public inquiry into Leeds Council's night-time flying regulations governing the airport.

"In the meantime, we have and will continue to operate in accordance with our interpretation of the planning conditions," he said.