Heathrow has submitted evidence for the Airports Commission demonstrating it can increase flights and still keep aircraft noise down.

The airport is hoping the government will support a third runway. If achieved, it claims it is committed to reducing aircraft noise by encouraging the use of quieter aircraft.

Sustainability director at Heathrow Matt Gorman said: "Heathrow is at the forefront of international efforts to tackle aircraft noise and as a result, even though the number of flights has almost doubled since the 1970s, around 90 per cent few people are affected by the noise."

It already charges noise-polluting aircraft more and suggests only awarding new flights to quieter alternatives.

In response to the proposal the 2M group - 24 local authorities concerned about Heathrow's environmental effect - suggests the Airport Commission needs a new study on aircraft noise. It claims its 2007 study shows official approaches do not take the increasing volumes of planes into consideration.

The current noise averaging system - Leq - was installed after a study in 1982 and has been in place for over 30 years.

Furthermore, 2M is also calling for a night curfew on Heathrow - in line with other city airports.