UK government approves London City capacity increase

London City airport has won its battle to be allowed to increase its capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers per year.

The UK government will allow the East London airport to add three extra early morning flights during weekdays, but the airport’s application to extend its operating hours on Saturdays has been rejected.

London City has made a commitment that “only cleaner, quieter, next generation aircraft” would be allowed to fly in any extended operating periods.

The government’s decision reverses Newham Council initial rejection in July 2023 of the airport’s planning permission to increase its passenger cap and amend its operating hours. London City immediately launched an appeal against the council’s decision.

Alison FitzGerald, the airport’s CEO, said: “While we welcome the approval to increase our passenger numbers, we are disappointed with the government’s decision to reject our proposal to fly from 12:30pm to 6:30pm 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.”

Newham’s mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said she was “delighted” that the airport would not be allowed to remove the 24-hour weekend curfew on operations, which applies from 12.30pm on Saturdays.

“However, I remain deeply concerned that our residents will be seriously harmed by the impact of further air-flight noise with today’s decision to allow an increase in flights in the early mornings throughout the rest of the week,” added Fiaz.

“We will be studying the decision notice carefully and considering all options as we remain concerned about the detrimental impacts on the health and quality of life of our residents.”