There would be a no-fly zone for Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek under a federal Labor government plan, if the party wins office at this year's election.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has unveiled the proposal, which includes a no-fly zone between 11:00pm and 6:00am in order to eliminate aircraft noise for residents.

Under the plan, the airport would allow 24-hour access but any flights at night would be restricted to the south-west over unpopulated areas.

Mr Shorten said it was about reducing aircraft noise for residents in western Sydney.

"It's important that as we ensure that people enjoy the economic benefits including the jobs, the extra public transport, the new infrastructure, the economic activity in western Sydney, we mitigate the noise of local communities," he said.

"I think it's a good and sensible development which reflects Labor being in touch with the needs and views of our local communities."

Communities shouldn't 'suffer' aircraft noise at night

Opposition transport spokesman Anthony Albanese said the same plan works at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport.

"Permissible night time flights at Kingsford Smith Airport are not allowed to fly over built-up areas, this will also apply at Badgerys Creek under a Shorten Labor government," he said.

"This will amount to a no-fly zone at night, similar to that which operates at Kingsford Smith Airport.

"These flight path designations are easily achievable during the low capacity periods at night at Badgerys Creek airport.

"So no noise at night but significantly as well, a commitment to ensure that there's no concentration of aircraft noise during the day either."

Flight path directions support 'no-fly zone' proposal

Mr Albanese said the alignment of the runaway worked in favour of Labor's plan.

"What it shows is essentially you have a flight path that is aimed towards the south-west, away from existing residences and different communities," he said.

"Now with simultaneous operations that you can have at low volume. You can do that at low volume periods and what we know is that at night, obviously it will be low volume periods."

Mr Albanese said this would not impact the economic benefits of the airport.

"There isn't a great demand to fly from Sydney to Melbourne at 3am," he added.

But he said Labor's plan would still ensure the odd night-time flight from the Middle East or Asia could still get to Sydney in a way that had "no noise impact whatsoever on people".