Low-altitude flights over houses, air and noise pollution are some of the complaints of the residents who signed this petition. Moreover, they fear for their safety.

“I am constantly confronted with negative comments from my clients about air traffic. Whilst the importance of Faro Airport for development in the Algarve region is undeniable, the fact that there are low altitude flights over residential and tourist areas causes a great deal of discomfort”, said François Coizy, manager of a real estate agency in Almancil and creator of the petition.


At the moment, when departing, “planes turn north at a very low altitude - 3000 feet - and fly over populated areas of the municipalities of Loulé and Olhão. More specifically flights taking off towards the east overfly Olhão and flights towards west overfly Almancil, Quinta do Lago, Vale de Lobo, Quarteira and Vilamoura”.

In order to improve the situation, François Coizy and all the residents who sign the petition, say that the solution is quite simple. “Planes taking off from Faro do not turn north until they have reached an altitude of 5000 feet in order to guarantee the safety of the inhabitants concerned and pass over less densely populated areas”. In addition, they have asked Faro Airport to reduce take some actions in order to reduce noises.

Despite not having that many signatures online, the group feels that is important to push this issue and have already registered the petition on the Portuguese Government’s website. In addition, they have been collecting signatures on the streets, especially in local markets, where they, all together have already had about 500 signatures, François Coizy told The Portugal News.


They are seeking greater visibility and in the future want to meet with the mayor of Loulé and Faro, in order to prevent what they think could easily be changed without any major inconvenience to the airlines.

For more information, please see their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/712598876504258.


Author

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins