London City Airport (LCY) is appealing the decision by the local authority, Newham Council, to reject the airport’s planning application to increase passenger numbers and amend its opening hours.
The gateway to the UK capital originally submitted plans in December 2022 to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to nine million, to fly on Saturday afternoon until 6.30pm (7.30pm in the summer) and add three more flights in the first half hour of operations during the week – with no increase to the annual number of flights beyond what is currently permitted.
In a UK airport first, the application also proposed a commitment that only quieter, cleaner, new generation aircraft would be allowed to fly in any extended periods. The proposals would created 4,500 additional jobs across London, contribute an additional £702 million in Gross Value Added to London’s economy and enhance connectivity and passenger choice by enabling airlines to serve new routes.
Newham Council’s Strategic Development Committee rejected the application due to concerns about the impact of noise on local residents on Saturday afternoons and the three additional morning flights. According to LCY, the council’s decision did not properly balance the limited impacts of the extended operating hours with what it describes as the “significant benefits” of the proposals, including making best use of existing runway capacity.
LCY’s CEO, Robert Sinclair, said: “We are disappointed with Newham Council’s refusal of our proposals. We have worked incredibly hard to develop proposals that genuinely reflect concerns raised, sought feedback from our local community and worked closely with the council’s planning officers. Their views are built into our proposals to ensure that we addressed appropriate concerns and continue to be a good neighbour and local employer.”
He added that if the appeal was accepted, airlines will be able to progress re-fleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft sooner. This he underlined will “deliver more choice for passengers, more jobs for local people and reduce the overall noise impact as early as next summer.”
John Dickie, CEO of Business LDN, said: “City Airport is an important part of the aviation network that keeps London – and the UK – connected to the global economy. We must continue to enhance our links with the rest of the world in the face of strong international competition for talent, investment and tourism. Private investment in better connectivity across the UK and other overseas markets will give Londoners and inbound tourists alike more choice and boost the British economy.”
