The Guardian
Helena Horton
19 August 2024
Ministers have approved London City airport’s application to expand, in a decision that has disappointed climate campaigners.
The airport submitted a proposal to increase capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers a year by putting on more weekend and early morning flights. Local campaigners and Newham council opposed the move, arguing the air and noise pollution would affect people living nearby and that it could potentially increase carbon emissions.
Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, and Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, announced their decision on Monday.
It said there was unlikely to be harm from any extra noise pollution caused by additional morning and weekend flights, and that it was right to respond to forecasted growth in demand of flights. It also said the decision to expand the airport was “in line with national policy” on the climate crisis.
However, although the government accepted the higher passenger cap of 9 million, it rejected the airport’s proposals to extend its Saturday afternoon operating hours to 6.30pm. The airport currently closes at 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Read on: London City airport expansion given green light by ministers | Air transport | The Guardian
