Frustrated residents have finally been given an answer for the increase in noise from aircraft over their homes, but may not like to learn there are currently no plans to revert routes to their previous set up.

A change was made to one route by the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) in June 2014 and led to a greater concentration of aircraft, and more noise, over areas to the south-west of the airport. However Heathrow say poor communication from NATS meant they were not aware of the change and have apologised to residents who were repeatedly told that there had been no changes to the routes.

The airport also insists the change is not related to the Future Airspace trials which took place between August and November last year.

The chief executive of Heathrow John Holland-Kaye said: “I am very concerned that NATS made this change without informing the airport or affected communities about its potential impact, particularly given its effects on some of the same areas to the west of the airport that were affected by the airspace trials we ran last year. "Because of the assurances we received, we in turn told residents in good faith that no changes had occurred. That is unacceptable and I unequivocally apologise to local residents."

Mr Holland-Kaye added that NATS would now review it's communication process to ensure all changes that will affect residents is shared.

Unfortunately, NATS have also confirmed there were no plans for the route, called the Compton route, to be reverted back to it's former state as the change was made to increase safety and efficiency.

The technical bit: The change to the Compton route narrowed the amount of airspace planes were directed to as they departed west from a 13 mile space to just 7 miles - meaning aircraft are now climbing through a narrower area of the existing airspace and some may fly lower - though not below 4,000 feet.

The Compton route is used by 16% of departing aircraft turning west when the airport is on easterly operations - around 6% of total departures.