Law proposal: commercial flights banned at night in Toulouse
Initiative seeks to reduce local noise pollution
A new law proposal could see flights banned from landing after 23:30 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Martin SC photo/Shutterstock
Night flights may be banned at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport to improve local residents’ quality of life.
The Haute-Garonne prefecture presented a law proposal on November 26, outlining measures to reduce noise pollution around the airport.
If approved, commercial flights will be banned from taking off between 23:00 and 06:00, and unable to land between 23:30 and 06:00.
The measures have been submitted to French ministers responsible for Transport and Ecological Transition, who must give their approval before passing the proposal to the European Commission for validation.
If accepted, the project is estimated to come into force by the end of 2027.
The prefecture initially published four proposals in 2024, based on a study (l'étude d'impact selon l'approche équilibrée, EIAE) launched by the prefect, Pierre-André Durand, in September 2023, on the impact of noise pollution around the airport.
Night flights at lowest level since 2010
Despite the scheduling restrictions, delayed flights would still be permitted after the cut-off.
The proposal also states that airlines should not face any penalties for late arrivals or departures. However, the prefecture outlined plans to set up a dedicated advisory committee, publishing quarterly night flight reports including the names of any airlines that have broken restrictions.
Estimates from government officials based on 2024 figures point to some 400 arrivals and almost 300 departures requiring rescheduling under the proposed measures.
Officials explained that in 2024 and 2025, the number of night flights at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport reached its lowest level since 2010, reports local media, Le Journal Toulousain.
A recent press release states that a total of 1,926,642 passengers passed through the airport from July 1 to September 30 this year - a decrease of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
Postal plane also banned
Chronopost's air service, which lands at 02:45 from Monday to Friday throughout the year, will also be stopped on December 31, 2028.
This represents some 240 night flights per year.
The prefecture has also already implemented the publication of annual noise maps in line with the Plan de prévention du bruit dans l’environnement (Environmental noise prevention plan).
The aim is to monitor the surrounding area and local residents, who should be exposed to an average of 50 dB at night.
