The proposed changes, which are being considered at a meeting on Monday, would mean less noise for people living in the south of Nottinghamshire.

But residents further north could lose out.

Aircraft movements over the airport in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, are at record levels with more than 45,000 in 2001.

The airport has expanded rapidly in the past decade

Under current regulations, aircraft waiting to land are stacked in the skies above East Leake in Nottinghamshire.

But under the new proposals, the routes would be changed to an area over Hucknall, farther to the north in Nottinghamshire.

The situation has divided views among local authorities.

Rushcliffe District Council, where East Leake is located, is being asked to support the change.

Those in Gedling Borough Council to the north are against the move.

Plans to add an extra runway to the airport are also the subject of intensive lobbying by Nottinghamshire County Council, which wants to see expansion of the airport.

A protest against those plans held on Saturday attracted hundreds of motorists who blocked the entrance to the airport for several hours.