London City Airport’s Passenger Expansion Approved by Government

August 20, 2024 TruthUSA

The local council and environmental campaigners are dismayed by the Labour government’s decision to increase air traffic at the central London airport.

Ministers approved plans on Monday to expand capacity at London City Airport by 2.5 million passengers per year through increased weekend and early morning flights.

The central London airport’s annual passenger cap will increase from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers, with three extra flights scheduled in the first half-hour of operations during the week.

While the cap is being raised, the government rejected City Airport’s proposal to extend Saturday afternoon operating hours.

The decision was announced by Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, and Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, on Monday.

London City Airport expressed disappointment in the government’s decision to reject the proposed extension of operating hours on Saturdays, which aimed to keep flights operational in central London until 6:30 p.m.

Alison FitzGerald, the newly appointed CEO of London City Airport, stated on Monday, “As the Government has recognized in its decision, rejecting our request to extend our Saturday afternoon operating hours will slow down airlines bringing cleaner, quieter next-generation aircraft to the airport.”

“Local residents would have had the added benefit of these aircraft operating at the airport throughout the week, not just in the extended operating hours.”

The expansion plan was initially rejected in 2023 by the airport’s local authority, Newham Council, citing objections related to noise and environmental impact.

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, expressed concerns about the potential harm caused by increased air traffic noise pollution to Newham residents.

Although the government approved an increase of 2.5 million annual passengers at London City Airport, Fiaz viewed the maintenance of the 24-hour flight curfew from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon as a small victory for local residents.

Environmental campaigner groups in the UK have expressed frustration at the government’s decision given the ongoing expansion efforts at other London-based airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted.

The Climate Change Committee had previously recommended against any net airport expansion in the UK to meet the country’s net zero emissions target by 2050.

Johann Beckford, senior policy adviser at Green Alliance, criticized the decision as a setback in addressing climate change and raised concerns about planning applications for Luton and Gatwick airports later this year.

Paul Morozzo, climate campaigner for Greenpeace UK, referred to the decision as a misguided move that benefits wealthy frequent fliers while burdening poorer neighborhoods with environmental costs.

Alethea Warrington, senior campaigner at climate charity Possible, accused the government of failing its first climate test and ignoring scientific advice on aviation emissions and airport capacity constraints.

A Government spokesperson from the Department for Transport reiterated the commitment to securing the aviation sector’s future while fulfilling environmental obligations.

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