Changes to flight paths (FOI)

Request

Recently changes were announced to air traffic flow into and out of Jersey to help reduce carbon emissions and noise. These new routes were said to come into force in the new year. Recently planes have been flying into Jersey crossing over the populated areas of the North of town before heading to the airport. Medium passenger planes one of which flew over the area of College Gardens at 16:50 HRs on Tuesday the 20th of December. As these flights are quite frequent it seems, can you please provide me with:

A

The total number of flights over town each week at present.

B

By which sorts of aircraft.

C

The passenger numbers they can carry to enable us to understand the overhead movements and

D

As they will be over the known, months or periods in the coming year.

Given that this causes quite a strong new noise and possible concern to people in these densely populated town neighbourhoods

E

Has any consultation taken place with the Parish? If so how and when?

F

Do the flights have a minimum distance from the ground they should be flying at and if so what is this and what height are they flying?

G

Has any risk and aviation safety assessments been undertaken about the flight paths and the impact these might have on future town developments in terms of planning permissions etc?

H

Have risk assessments been discussed with the Council of Ministers and businesses who are responsible in the event that an aircraft were to crash into the densely populated areas of town where there are situated homes, businesses and schools etc?

I

Who is ultimately Politically responsible should an aircraft crash and kill or injure people as a result of these changes to the flights occurring over town and in the future?

Response

A – G

The information you have requested is not held by the Government of Jersey, therefore, Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.   

However, it may be held by Ports of Jersey so you might wish to send your request in writing to: 

ask@ports.je 

or by post to: 

Ports of Jersey, St Peter, Jersey, JE1 1BY 

It should be noted that Ports of Jersey are not a Scheduled Public Authority (SPA), therefore, they are not required to respond under Freedom of Information legislation. 

H

No record is held of this being discussed formally at the Council of Ministers. Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.   

I

In the event of any aircraft crash, political responsibility in such circumstances would be affected by the factual matrix of that event. Political responsibilities are also affected by constitutional, practical and operational realities. However, with regard to the investigation of air accidents and incidents, the Minister for External Relations has primary political responsibility.