London City Airport’s (LCY) expansion plans have hit turbulence after Newham Council voted unanimously to reject the proposals. The airport’s management applied to increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from the current 6.5 million to 9 million by extending the timeframe when aircraft are allowed to arrive and depart during the weekend.
Currently, flight activity is banned from 12:30 PM on Saturdays to 12:30 PM on Sundays. LCY requested that the timeframe be extended until 18:30 PM with up to 12 arrivals for a further hour during the summer season on Saturdays. According to the airport’s chief executive, Robert Sinclar, “Extending the operating period on Saturday afternoons will allow our airlines to serve the very significant demand for travel on weekends, with flights leaving and returning on the same day, giving more choice and more destinations.”
However, London’s Newham Council, responsible for the governance of the borough of Newham where LCY is located, voted against the expansion. The proposals were also opposed by nine neighboring councils and four MPs representing the surrounding areas.
“We are disappointed with the decision of Newham Council’s Strategic Development committee. Our proposals will create almost 2,200 jobs at the airport, support an additional 2,300 London jobs through tourism and increased business productivity,” said an LCY spokesperson. According to the spokesperson, the expansion would also contribute an additional €820 to London’s economy in gross value, while also improving connectivity. Moreover, they argued that “only cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft will be allowed to fly in any extended periods”.
There is so much potential for this area, but it is being held back by a polluting airport which is causing misery for residents and is used by so few.
Nate Higgins, Newham Council member
The council argued that the expansion would “result in a materially new and substantial harm” with an expanded noise pollution footprint.
However, London City Airport has announced it plans to appeal against Newham Council’s decision. “This was the wrong decision and did not properly balance the limited impacts with the very significant benefits of the proposals, particularly in the context of Government policy, including making best-use of existing runway capacity,” said a statement released by the airport.
The Greater London Authority will now make the final decision on the application. But for now, London City Airport’s expansion plans have hit turbulence.
