Residents in Crawley, West Sussex, are being asked to share their views on future flight paths at London Gatwick as part of a 14-week public consultation. The process aims to decide how planes fly when leaving the airport on a specific route that involves a 180-degree turn.
This flight path, known as Route 4, involves aircraft taking off towards the west before turning north and then heading east towards their destination. According to London Gatwick, there are four different options for the future of this route, which could change which homes experience the most noise from aircraft overhead.
The feedback gathered from the community will help determine where planes are concentrated and how noise patterns change for households in areas like Maidenbower and Three Bridges. This new search for a solution comes after a 2018 High Court ruling that required the airport to restart the process for changing its flight paths.
A public exhibition is being held on March 7, 2026, at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Three Bridges to give locals a chance to look at interactive noise maps. Experts will be available at the event to answer questions before the feedback window closes on April 28, 2026.
The airport started the consultation on January 20, 2026, and is encouraging people to review the details and provide their comments online. More information about the specific proposals and how they affect the local community can be found through London Gatwick.
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