London City Airport has successfully secured approval for an increased limit on passengers, allowing millions more travelers to utilize the transportation hub.
This decision will result in the expansion of the passenger cap at the east London airport from 6.5 million to 9 million.
The increment of 2.5 million passengers is scheduled for completion by 2031, with City Airport permitted to operate an additional three flights within the first half-hour of weekday operations.
The government’s approval of this move was welcomed by airport authorities, but it faced criticism from activists, with Greenpeace labeling it as an unexpected misjudgment.
However, the contentious proposal to extend Saturday operation hours into the afternoon was turned down.
HACAN East, a group opposing the airport’s plans, stated that this decision was a significant victory for residents due to concerns over noise pollution.
Currently, the airport must cease operations by 12:30 pm on Saturdays, but authorities had sought permission to extend flights until 6:30 pm, citing enhanced choice and flexibility for passengers.
Rokshana Fiaz, the mayor of Newham, expressed her delight over the government’s denial of the proposal, highlighting the potential noise impact that could cause harm.
The airport has enforced a 24-hour curfew since 12:30 pm on Saturdays for the past 38 years.
Alison Fitzgerald, CEO of London City Airport, expressed disappointment with the rejection of their request to extend Saturday afternoon operations, emphasizing the hindrance it poses to airlines introducing cleaner and quieter next-generation aircraft at the airport.
“Local residents could have benefitted from these aircraft operating throughout the week, not solely during the extended hours,” Fitzgerald stated.
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Although the passenger cap has been increased, the annual limit of flights remains unchanged at a maximum of 111,000 flights per year.
The new cap will be achieved by increasing flight numbers between 6 am and 9 am, with a requirement to utilize quieter aircraft during these hours.
Greenpeace critiques the City Airport proposal
The environmental organization has criticized the government’s decision to approve the new cap, labeling it as a detrimental move that undermines the UK’s climate leadership.
Greenpeace UK argues that this decision primarily benefits affluent frequent flyers while shifting the environmental consequences onto some of London’s most impoverished communities.
The organization highlighted that over half of the airport’s destinations could be reached by train in under six hours, with popular routes including Amsterdam and Edinburgh.
They advocate for improved and more affordable train travel as an alternative to expanding airports.
This controversy follows City Airport’s submission of expansion plans to Newham Council, which faced opposition from the mayor and local advocacy groups.
A Government spokesperson informed Metro.co.uk, saying, “We are dedicated to securing the future of the UK aviation sector while upholding our environmental responsibilities.”
“In accordance with the recommendations of independent inspectors, Ministers have jointly sanctioned a planning appeal submitted by London City Airport,” the spokesperson added.
A letter from Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, and Louise Haigh, the Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed, “They have opted to grant planning permission [to LCA], subject to revised conditions maintaining the existing Saturday curfew period.”
The airport, established in 1987 in the Royal Docks about three miles east of Canary Wharf, features a single 4,948 ft runway and served 3.4 million passengers last year.
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