No, because Bordeaux Airport’s runways intersect. However, runways can be used in both directions in a single day, depending on wind direction and speed – air traffic control makes that decision.
Fuel dumping is a very rare occurrence. It happens only when the plane’s weight needs to be quickly reduced so an emergency landing can be performed for passengers’ safety. This might be the case on long-haul flights that need to land shortly after take-off for technical reasons or due to a passenger emergency.
Fuel-dumping can only be done over sparsely populated areas and at a height of at least 2,000 m. The fuel is vaporised into tiny droplets so that it can then evaporate and disperse into the atmosphere.
Only major carriers operating long-haul flights that have to land shortly after take-off might need to dump fuel. The reason planes do this is that, because they haven’t consumed much fuel on their journey so far, they might be heavier than the authorised weight for landing.
Sometimes you might spot white trails at the tips of a plane’s wings as it takes off or lands. These aren’t caused by fuel dumping - in fact, they are made of condensed water vapour. They occur when the air is humid and the flaps at the back of the wings are extended (this is particularly common during landing).
Since late 2003, Bordeaux Airport has used a system for measuring aircraft noise and monitoring their flight paths. It allows users to save, view and analyse flight paths and noise generated by commercial aircraft travelling within a 55 km radius of the Airport, at a height of up to 3000 m.
To visualize trajectories that fly over your municipality, you can:
The vast majority of aircraft that land at Bordeaux Airport are commercial flights carrying passengers, freight and mail. However, because ours is a multi-functional airport, other types of aircraft regularly visit. These might be light aircraft or military planes, or they might be used for industrial purposes or by health and emergency services. More rarely, you might spot large Antonov- or Ilyushin-style carriers transporting cargo as part of a humanitarian mission.
French law dated 6 March 2009 defines how measures designed to cut noise pollution are applied at Bordeaux Aerodrome. The French South-West Civil Aviation Authority’s safety department is able to make a statement attesting to any failures to adhere to regulations. If this statement is supported by evidence, the airline could face financial penalties. This penalty is levied by the French Airport Noise Inspection Authority (or Autorité de Contrôle des Nuisances Aéroportuaires). For the purposes of transparency, information about any fines levied is available to the public.
