Residents fight new Birmingham Airport flight paths

A protest meeting has been held tonight over recent changes to flight paths in and out of Birmingham Airport. It follows the opening of a runway extension two months ago. The airport says it is carrying out a number of trials before deciding which routes to use in future. However some residents say it is causing unacceptable noise levels. Keith Wilkinson reports.

A petition signed by more than 2000 people will be presented to the Transport Minister today, protesting about new flight paths being used by aeroplanes at Birmingham Airport.

Since its runway extension, Birmingham Airport has been trialling new flight paths but many residents in Balsall Common say it has resulted in increased noise.

A protest meeting tonight is expected to attract 250 people.

Birmingham Airport says:

"The new flight path, to the south of the airport, is required as a result of the runway extension, which is now open and will deliver global connectivity and thousands of new jobs in the future for local people.

"The airport is aware of a petition circulating in the community and is recording and responding to all correspondence received by residents."