Sydney Airport Curfew: Does It Exist?

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11 pm and 6 am. The Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 outlines that certain aircraft are permitted to operate during the curfew, including propeller-driven aircraft that have a noise certificate and comply with noise standards. The curfew also limits the runways that can be used, with aircraft required to operate over Botany Bay during the restricted hours.

Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am (local time). The Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 states that once Western Sydney Airport is able to be used for night aircraft movements, the exceptions relating to freight, propeller and small jet aircraft will cease to apply at Sydney Airport.

Subject to approval, certain international passenger aircraft are permitted to operate during the 'curfew shoulder period' which is between 11:00 pm and 12:00 am and 5:00 am and 6:00 am each day. The Sydney Airport Curfew Regulations 1995 prescribe the maximum number of landings and take-offs by international passenger aircraft during the curfew shoulder period: 24 landings per week between 5:00 am and 6:00 am (with no more than 5 landings occurring per day).

During the curfew, aircraft must operate over Botany Bay, that is take-offs to the south and landings to the north. On Saturdays and Sundays, aircraft must also operate over Botany Bay in the hour before and after the curfew, provided the weather and traffic conditions allow this to take place safely. Aircraft are not permitted to take-off over the suburbs after 10.45 pm. The following aircraft are permitted to operate during the curfew: propeller-driven aircraft which have a noise certificate, comply with noise standards specified in the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 (the Act) and have a maximum take-off weight of up to 34,000 kg.

Exceptions to the curfew

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11 pm and 6 am (local time). The Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 outlines the following exceptions:

• Propeller-driven aircraft with a noise certificate, which comply with the noise standards specified in the Act and have a maximum take-off weight of up to 34,000 kg.
• Freight movements.
• Small jets.
• Emergency aircraft.

In addition, subject to approval, certain international passenger aircraft are permitted to operate during the 'curfew shoulder period', which is defined as the periods between 11 pm-12 am and 5 am-6 am each day. The maximum number of landings and take-offs by international passenger aircraft during this time is 24 landings per week between 5 am-6 am (with no more than 5 landings occurring per day).

Curfew shoulder period

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am (local time). During the 'curfew shoulder period' (11:00 pm–12:00 am and 5:00 am–6:00 am), certain international passenger aircraft are permitted to operate. The Sydney Airport Curfew Regulations 1995 prescribe the maximum number of landings and take-offs by international passenger aircraft during the curfew shoulder period: 24 landings per week between 5:00 am–6:00 am (with no more than 5 landings occurring per day).

An aircraft that arrives at Sydney Airport before 6.00 am must hold until after the curfew ends, or divert to an alternative airport. During the curfew, aircraft must operate over Botany Bay, that is take-offs to the south and landings to the north. On Saturdays and Sundays, aircraft must also operate over Botany Bay in the hour before and after the curfew, provided the weather and traffic conditions allow this to take place safely. Aircraft are not permitted to take-off over the suburbs after 10.45 pm.

Aircraft permitted to operate during the curfew

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am (local time). During this time, most aircraft operations are prohibited. However, there are some exceptions to the curfew.

Propeller-driven aircraft that have a noise certificate, comply with the noise standards specified in the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995, and have a maximum take-off weight of up to 34,000 kg are permitted to operate during the curfew. Additionally, emergency aircraft, some small jets, and freight movements are also allowed.

The Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 also provides for certain international passenger aircraft to operate during the 'curfew shoulder period', which is between 11:00 pm and 12:00 am, and 5:00 am and 6:00 am each day. The Act prescribes the maximum number of landings and take-offs by international passenger aircraft during this time, with 24 landings per week allowed between 5:00 am and 6:00 am, and no more than 5 landings occurring per day.

It is important to note that the curfew restrictions also apply to aircraft arriving at Sydney Airport before 6:00 am, which must hold until after the curfew ends or divert to an alternative airport. Additionally, on Saturdays and Sundays, aircraft must operate over Botany Bay in the hour before and after the curfew, provided that weather and traffic conditions allow this to take place safely.

Runway restrictions

Sydney Airport has a curfew in place that applies to aircraft operations between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am (local time). During the curfew, aircraft must operate over Botany Bay, with take-offs to the south and landings to the north. On Saturdays and Sundays, aircraft must also operate over Botany Bay in the hour before and after the curfew, provided the weather and traffic conditions allow this to take place safely. Aircraft are not permitted to take off over the suburbs after 10.45 pm.

The Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 outlines the following exceptions: propeller-driven aircraft with a noise certificate, which comply with noise standards and have a maximum take-off weight of 34,000 kg; emergency aircraft; some small jets; and freight movements. Once the Western Sydney Airport is able to be used for night aircraft movements, these exceptions will cease to apply.

The curfew also limits the runways that can be used. The maximum number of landings and take-offs by international passenger aircraft during the 'curfew shoulder period' (11:00 pm–12:00 am and 5:00 am–6:00 am) is 24 landings per week between 5:00 am and 6:00 am, with no more than five landings per day.

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