Flights landing at Heathrow airport have been unaffected by the switchover to a new control tower.

Passengers were warned on Friday they could face delays as air traffic controllers got used to the new system.

The switchover took place at 2am and a spokeswoman said all operations were running normally.

The move to the new tower means people under the Heathrow flight path can expect more early morning and late night flights this week.

The changes to the normal 11.30pm to 6am flight ban comes to help air traffic controllers settle in to the new control tower.

Airport operator BAA says the extra flight time might be needed to avoid any bottlenecks.

But Hounslow Council leader Peter Thompson says the hot weather could make the disturbance for residents even greater.

"These additional flights will be coming in at a time of year when many people will have their windows open so the noise nuisance will be greater," Coun Thompson said.

"We will want to see all the extra flights counted against the night time quota.

"Although the changes have been introduced on a temporary basis we will be concerned if the disruption continues beyond the 'few days' promised.

"Many of us are concerned that the environmental arguments for an end to night flights are being ignored by the airlines who continue to lobby for more slots in the early morning period.

The pressure for extra capacity can only grow."

BAA's Mark Bullock said the air traffic controllers had undergone extensive training but the extra time was needed as a precaution.

"We acknowledge that for some local residents this will have an effect on the level of aircraft noise that they experience.

"We sincerely apologise for the disturbance to local residents during this necessary change to operations."

The number of night flights is currently controlled by a noise quota system.

Last year local authorities forced the Government to back down on plans to remove existing limits on the number of night flights permitted to land at UK airports.

Residents concerned about aircraft noise can call BAA on 0800 344 844 or email noise_complaints@baa.com