Farnborough Airport has scaled back its ambitions to raise its flight cap but is still facing strong opposition from residents concerned about the impact of more private jet flights at weekends and on bank holidays.

The airport has submitted a revised planning application to Rushmoor Borough Council, keeping the existing annual cap of 50,000 flights but seeking an increase in the number allowed on non-weekdays from 8,900 to 13,500.

Farnborough Airport argues it remains a vital economic driver, supporting more than 3,000 local jobs and contributing an estimated £220 million to the regional economy. In consultation documents, it said supporting long-term demand is “essential if we are to maintain our role as one of the principal economic generators in the region.”

However, local campaigners remain firmly against the revised plans, despite the reduction in proposed flight numbers compared with the 70,000 limit in the original application.

Resident Suzanne Everest said: “They are focusing on increasing the ‘non-weekday’ flights on weekends and bank holidays – exactly when people living under the flight paths need and want to spend peaceful time outdoors.”

She also criticised the scope of the application, claiming it downplays environmental consequences.

“The environmental issues FAL have suggested should be included are limited in type of impact and, especially, in the area of their impact,” she said. “They are only considering the area immediately around the airport rather than the much wider area under the flight paths.”

Opponents have also raised concerns about the short consultation window, with responses due by Tuesday, October 22.

The Farnborough Noise Group said it also opposes the revised application.

A spokesperson for the protest group said: “All that we ask and expect is that the facts are presented, that the public’s views are heard and due process is followed. At the moment, none of these are happening.”

A spokesperson for Farnborough Airport said: “We can confirm that our public consultation is open from September 22 to October 22, 2025.

“Under these new proposals there will be no increase in our existing 50,000 per annum flight limit, so the environmental impact both in Farnborough and the surrounding communities from the proposed changes is expected to be very limited.

“The detailed environmental impact assessment submitted with the new planning application will contain a full assessment of all the potential impacts of the new proposal.

“Once the application is submitted, Rushmoor Borough Council will also hold their own public consultation to seek views on the submitted proposals.”