Night flights to increase at Heathrow

London, April 10 (IANS) The number of night flights in and out of London's Heathrow airport could increase as the government is considering a plea from a Gulf carrier to operate noiseless aircraft.

Emirates, the biggest operator of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, with 20 planes in its fleet, said the aircraft could be operated in and out of Heathrow during the current 1-4 a.m. curfew, the Telegraph reported.

Flights are banned during the three-hour period to avoid disturbing residents who live nearby. Current restrictions on night flights expire in 2014.

Heathrow operates 1,300 flights a day.