Manchester hopes to double its number of passengers by 2015

The protesters want a ban on take-offs and landings at airports in the south of England between 11pm and 6am.

The move has implications for Manchester Airport, which continues to grow in size.

Currently Manchester Airport has a voluntary system which allows controllers to choose how many flights land overnight.

In order to allay fears that the expansion of Manchester Airport could lead to an increase in night flights, the airport has ensured noise levels from night flying remain less than those measured in 1992/3.

Airport expansion

However, opposition to the airport's growth has been fierce.

Its second runway, completed three years ago, only proceeded after a 101-day public inquiry and a six-month occupation of the site by environment protesters.

The airport, which is the third largest in England, saw a record twenty million passengers in 2003 and hopes to double that figure by 2015.

If the campaigners win their fight in London, there may be implications for Manchester Airport.

"If Heathrow Airport is forced to stop night flights, there will be pressure on Manchester Airport to limit future plans", said Peter Burns, councillor for Heald Green.

"But there will be a lot of procedural steps to take before any changes take place."