More flights are set to operate at London City Airport after the UK government approved an expansion of its passenger capacity.
The annual passenger cap will increase from 6.5 million to 9 million and three extra flights will be permitted in the first half-hour of operations during the week. The additional morning flights must use quieter aircraft.
However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government rejected plans to extend the airport’s Saturday cut-off time for flights from 12:30 to 18:30.
The “respite” rule, restricting flights at the weekend, has been in place since the City hub opened in 1987.
Alison FitzGerald, chief executive of London City Airport, welcomed the approval to increase passenger numbers but said the airport was “disappointed” with the decision to reject longer flying hours on Saturday afternoons.
“As the government has recognised 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,” FitzGerald said. “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 East London airport’s initial application was blocked by Newham Council last year due to the impact on the local community. Subsequently, an appeal was brought to the Planning Inspectorate.
