Mixed mode is a way of operating Heathrow’s two existing runways more efficiently, allowing more capacity at the airport without building a third runway. It would mean that both runways would be used simultaneously for a mix of arrivals and departures. It is the standard operating procedure for all single-runway airports in the UK. 

The Government looked seriously at introducing mixed mode operations at Heathrow but decided to rule it out on the basis of feedback from the community during its ‘Adding Capacity at Heathrow’ consultation. 

Introducing mixed mode at Heathrow would have meant that many communities living under the flight paths near the airport would have lost the half-day of respite they currently enjoy. This is because Heathrow currently operates its runways in ‘Segregated Alternated’ mode:

• Segregated mode – means arriving aircraft are allocated to one runway and departing aircraft to the other.

• Runway alternation – means the use of the two runways is switched over after fixed periods, usually at 3pm each day.

We can confirm that mixed mode operations will not be introduced at Heathrow Airport.