Aircraft engines, airport vehicles, and other ground activities release pollutants that can affect the air quality in surrounding areas can have impacts on public health.
Our role
What’s measured
The main pollutants of concern around airports are:- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), linked to respiratory problems.
- Particulate matter (PM2.5) – very small airborne particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
- Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) – produced by burning sulphur-containing fuels.
- Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) – gases that can contribute to ground-level ozone.
Where to find data:
The national air information resource - DEFRA UK Air - GOV. UK The UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) | National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory provides air quality concentrations for a wide range of pollutants.
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The CAA’s UK Aviation Environmental Review includes information and data on aviation emissions. [Link to new AER pages].
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Many airports publish air quality data on their websites.
Understanding the data
Air quality readings near airports capture pollutants from all local sources, including nearby roads and industry. This means the measured levels are not solely due to aircraft activity.