The Newham-based airport is on a PR drive as it bids to win approval for its controversial expansion plans, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter
London City Airport’s expansion will be rooted in local growth and transparency, a senior official has insisted.
In 2024, ministers approved plans to increase passenger capacity at the East London hub from 6.5 million to nine million per annum by 2031, in a bid to turbocharge the economy.
The airport, which has the capital’s most centrally located runway, handles around four million passengers per year – mostly short-haul flights to European destinations.
Travel chiefs are now evaluating the best way in which to achieve the expansion. This includes applying for permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a lower approach, which could allow the larger Airbus A320neo to operate there. A decision is expected next month.
The airport says the aircraft are “more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly and quieter” – and would mean no extra flights are needed to increase passenger capacity.
Airport officials are confident that – should the CAA approve their application – locals in Newham will not be negatively affected, and might experience a localised economic boom as well.
“We want to hold on to the element that we’ve always had of this being rooted in East London and being part of the East London growth story,” Michael Kissman, director of corporate affairs for London City Airport, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
“When the airport opened in 1987, we’ve been a catalyst for growth since that time, alongside some other great investments in this area of London – we’ve been part of that story.
“We want to continue that transformation. We’re delighted that we’ve got the support from the government to grow and invest – the question, absolutely, is how do we achieve that growth now?
“One of the ways is to change the mix of aircraft that currently use the airport. At the moment, we use predominantly smaller regional jets, but by introducing aircraft such as the A320, it will mean we’re able to grow the airport towards that new passenger cap of nine million but with relatively fewer flights, with more modern aircraft that are more efficient, have a better fuel economy better on noise.
“This means we can have fewer relative flights, yet still achieve all the benefits of growth that come along.”
In a message to opponents of the expansion, he said there is an “understandable debate” to be had but that the question was over “responsible growth” and the method of doing so, rather than the underlying need.
“It’s not broke at any cost,” he added. “We work closely with all our stakeholders to make sure that we do it in the right way.
“We’ve been very transparent about what we’re trying to do.”
However, the plans have still sparked concern in City Hall, with both Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan and London Assembly members sceptical of the environmental and noise impact such an expansion would have.
Earlier this month Leonie Cooper, the former chair of the London Assembly’s environment committee, said: “We are talking about expanding the airport right in the middle of what is becoming a more and more dense area for population without doing a proper, robust, independent analysis of the impacts of particularly noise.
“We do know now that noise impacts, particularly when people are trying to sleep, are very, very bad.
“It’s not just the noise, it’s also the vibrations that you get as well, that sort of rumble.
“I just can’t see why London needs to expand City Airport, Luton Airport, Stansted Airport, Heathrow Airport as well as Gatwick Airport. I can’t really see any justification for expanding both Gatwick and City Airport and saying that there’s going to be an economic problem.
“There will be more vibration as well as noise going on. If they can prove it, why don’t they just have the independent analysis?”
Cooper’s committee wrote a letter to the CEO of London City Airport earlier this summer to demand “robust, independent real-world assessments” to see how local communities will be affected.
Thomas Turrell, a Conservative assembly member who sat on the environment committee at the time, refused to sign the letter, however.
City Hall’s Conservative transport spokesman said Britain is “desperate for extra aviation capacity” and that London City Airport’s expansion will “unleash so much economic potential for East London.”
Blasting Khan for failing to back the government’s decision, he said: “When it comes to airport expansion, he’s the biggest Nimby (not in my back yard) going.
“Airports are economic engines – this could unleash huge economic potential for east and south-east London.
“The mayor is in the pocket of extreme environmentalists – he’s trying to appeal to lefty voters rathe than doing what’s right for the capital – and this is a no-brainer.”
A spokesperson for Khan said: “The Mayor is clear that changes such as those proposed at London City Airport should only be approved once the environmental impacts have been properly assessed and addressed.
“While the mayor recognises the economic growth and jobs that aviation brings to London and the wider UK, he has also been clear that the sector needs to take full responsibility for minimising and mitigating its environmental impacts, including on local communities.”
A DfT spokesperson told the LDRS: “Airport expansion will unlock jobs, strengthen Britain’s connectivity, and attract international investment, and we have been clear that it must support our decarbonisation goals while minimising impacts on local communities.”
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