Night flying restrictions
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Night flying restrictions is any regulation or legislation imposed by a governing body to limit the ground-perceived exposure to aircraft noise during the night hours, when the majority of residents are trying to sleep. Such regulations may include restrictions to available flight paths, or prohibitions against takeoffs, or prohibitions against takeoffs and landings, or prohibitions against ground operations (engine runups or taxiing).
European airports
Night flying restrictions, commonly known as curfews, are common at airports in Europe. This has a side affect of an above-average number of take-offs in immediately after the curfew is lifted, typically at 06:00, especially by Low-cost carriers seeking to maximise aircraft usage. The restrictions can also result in flights to and from non-European which do not have night flying restrictions taking place overnight. Aircraft cannot be used at night in Europe, but an aircraft can leave European airport in the evening before the restrictions apply, land at a non-restricted airport in the middle of the night, and return to land in the morning just after the restrictions end.[citation needed]
Situation at London airports
The night restrictions for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted define a night period, 2300-0700 hours, and a night quota period, 2330–0600 hours. During the night period, the noisiest types of aircraft (classified as QC/4 QC/8 or QC/16) may not be scheduled to land or to take off (other than in the most exceptional circumstances). In addition, during the night quota period movements by most other types of aircraft (including the new QC/0.25 category) will be restricted by a movements limit and a noise quota, which are set for each season.[citation needed]