The Impact of Flight Blight on People's Lives
The impact of aircraft noise on people's lives can be significant. People's views of what they can tolerate and what they can't varies but at it's worst, flight blight can seriously impact the health and wellbeing of residents in the following ways
Increased Risk of Heart Problems
A major study led by UCL researchers published in January 2025 found a significant link between exposure to high levels of aircraft noise and worse heart function. Residents in noisy areas showed signs of stiffer and thicker heart muscles, leading to a potential 2 to 4 times increased risk of heart attack, life-threatening heart rhythms, and stroke
Night-Time Noise is Particularly Harmful
A considerable amount of research has investigated the link between aircraft noise and sleep, including the Gong et al.'s 2024 study that sampled over 80,000 residents near major airports. Using wearable movement trackers, they found that higher night-time aircraft noise exposure (≥55 dB) significantly increased sleep restlessness and disrupted daily sleep-wake cycles. Notably, total time in bed wasn't reduced, suggesting noise impacts sleep quality and regularity even without conscious awakenings. The researchers emphasize that these subtle sleep disturbances are linked to increased risks of various health issues, underscoring the need to mitigate aircraft noise pollution.
Cognitive Impairment in Children
Evidence also exists that suggests that long-term aircraft noise can negatively affect memory, sustained attention, reading comprehension, and reading ability. The consistent finding of negative impacts on reading, and the suggestion of effects on other cognitive domains, underscore the potential risks of aircraft noise exposure to children's learning and development
Annoyance and Mental Health
This is another common finding in noise impact studies. Reports from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the EEA often discuss the link between environmental noise (including aircraft noise) and increased risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems
Air Pollution
Living under flight paths not only exposes people to elevated levels of aircraft noise but can also contribute to increased exposure to air pollution. Aircraft engines emit various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ultrafine particles. The concentration of these pollutants can be higher in areas close to airports and under flight paths, particularly during take-off and landing