What is a vortex?
A vortex is a circulating current of air generated by aircraft. It can sometimes strike and damage the roofs of houses under the flightpath.

The scheme
BAA Heathrow runs a Vortex Protection Scheme to protect homes around the airport. Although legal liability for vortex damage rests with the airlines, BAA Heathrow is voluntarily funding this £15 million scheme as part of its commitment to the local community.

Am I eligible?
Every house, school, church or hospital affected by a Heathrow vortex strike is eligible for vortex protection. This includes homes situated above commercial properties. The only criteria is that the damage must be verified by a BAA Heathrow-appointed vortex assessor.

As this kind of roof damage is very specific, the assessor can quickly identify whether it has been caused by an aircraft vortex.

Blanket zones
To protect homes in high risk areas, we offer blanket protection to roads which reach a 65% strike rate, now or in the future. This means that once 65% of homes in a street have received a vortex strike, the whole street is included in the scheme, including those homes which have not been affected. If you live in a road which is classified as a blanket zone, you will be contacted directly by us.

What happens next?
BAA Heathrow operates a 24-hour vortex telephone service for residents.

If you suspect you have received a vortex strike, you should report it to us immediately by calling 020 8745 7930 or 07860 323816 outside office hours.

Our appointed vortex assessor will then inspect the damage. Please do not attempt to undertake repairs prior to an inspection, as homes are only eligible if the damage has been officially verified. If a vortex strike has occurred, free remedial repairs will be arranged immediately.

Once your roof has been repaired, your property will be added to the scheme for permanent vortex protection. This will involve strengthening the roof by fixing down new tiles with special metal clips. Clipped tiles can withstand more than the maximum force of a vortex strike and have proven to be the most effective way of protecting homes from vortex damage. The work is completed by a contractor appointed by BAA Heathrow and is free and will start as soon as possible although waiting times may vary.

The facts

• Less than 0.01 % of flights cause vortex damage
• The majority of strikes are concentrated in small areas near the ends of the runways
• Roofs in the Heathrow area are typically constructed with loose-laid tiles which makes them prone to vortex damage 
• Only properties with pitched roofs are affected
• No vortex damage has been recorded at homes which have been protected under this scheme

Latest information
During 2004/05 we received almost 300 calls to our 24 hour vortex hotline. There were 89 confirmed vortex strikes.

Vortex protection scheme leaflet (1,221KB PDF)

Please click on the image below to download the free plug-in which you will need to view PDF files. This link will open in a new window.