Heathrow night flights to continue until third runway is built

Transport secretary says new rules on noise show government is tackling issue, but campaigners lament 'business as usual'

Night flights from Heathrow will continue until the airport is expanded, the government has confirmed, as it published new rules to encourage quieter aircraft across London's three biggest airports.

The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said efforts to reduce the total noise permitted from flights at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted showed the government was taking the issue very seriously, but residents' groups said the proposals were "business as usual".