What do the flight paths look like?

Noise Preferential Routes (NPR’s) are in place for departing jet aircraft and were developed as a performance route to direct departing jet aircraft over the least populated areas. All departing jet aircraft are required to follow the NPRs, however, sometimes this may not be possible due to weather conditions or conflicting traffic. In addition, turboprops and light aircraft are exempt from the NPR.

There are two runways at Leeds Bradford Airport; runway 14 (towards Horsforth) and runway 32 (towards Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale). The runway used largely depends on weather conditions, as aircraft take off and land into wind. There are no established NPRs for arriving aircraft.

Plans highlighting the two NPRs can be viewed here. Please note, the NPRs are indicated in blue and aircraft can depart anywhere within the blue hatched area. Once an aircraft has reached the end of the NPR, they are permitted to turn towards their intended destination.

If you wish to contact us regarding airport noise, use the noise contact form or call 0113 391 1625.