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THE Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) has pledged to oppose Leeds Bradford Airport's latest proposals to change its night flight rules.
GALBA chair Nick Hodgkinson said the campaign group was preparing to challenge the airport's plans, which he claims could lead to a significant increase in aircraft movements during night-time hours.
"We are ready to oppose the airport's latest attempt to fly thousands more planes at night," he said.
Mr Hodgkinson said GALBA would examine the details of the application and seek legal advice before deciding on its next steps.
He said the group's initial assessment suggested the proposals would remove limits on the number of aircraft departures from 6am and substantially increase the number of flights operating during the summer season.
According to GALBA, the current cap of 3,741 summer night flights could rise to at least 7,500 under the new arrangements.
"What LBA wants would mean a huge rise in night flights, especially during the summer months," Mr Hodgkinson said.
"That would be very bad for the health and wellbeing of thousands of local people trying to get enough sleep to go to work or school the next day."
He added that GALBA's priorities remained the health of local residents, air quality and concerns about climate change.
"Our priorities are the health of local people, the quality of the air we breathe and the climate we all depend on," he said.
"These should be the priorities for Leeds councillors too."