Press Release

Issued by Farnborough Airport Ltd.

February 14, 2011

Farnborough Airport has won its fight to nearly double the number of flights taking off or arriving each year. The airport will now be allowed to cater for 50,000 flights every year, almost twice the 28,000 current limit. It can also now host 8,900 flights on weekend and Bank Holidays - up from the current 5,000 cap.

The government decided on February 10 to allow airport owner TAG's appeal to have the extra flights after Rushmoor Borough Council initially blocked the move. The inspector who conducted the appeal in 2010 recommended the refusal be overturned, saying the economic benefits outweighed the harm of pollution, noise and risk of an accident. "While there would be some harm in respect of increased noise, the degree of harm would be moderate," David Richards wrote in a 157-page report.

Transport Minister Philip Hammond and local government minister Eric Pickles made the decision, despite saying the noise from the planes produced "demonstrable harm" and risk a plane crash was "significant" but "not exceptional". The ministers said pollution from the planes was "more properly dealt with" by the EU Emission Trading Scheme, which will oblige major carbon dioxide producers to pay the government for their emissions.

Rushmoor Borough Council has the right to appeal to the High Court within six weeks.