London City Airport Expansion Letter

The London Assembly Environment Committee has written to London City Airport expressing serious concerns over their proposed expansion, which would increase the annual passenger cap from 6.5 million passengers to 9 million, and also extend the opening times of the airport on Saturdays.

Further concerns have been raised regarding a lack of transparency in the airport’s initial proposal submission, specifically around the changes to flight times and the impact this would have on residents’ health and wellbeing.

The Committee has also submitted the letter to Newham Council, the local planning authority, for consideration in response to the London City Airport expansion planning application.

The work follows a detailed investigation into light and noise pollution by the Environment Committee. As part of the investigation, the Committee invited London City Airport, as well as Heathrow Airport, to discuss concerns about their proposed expansions.

Whilst Heathrow attended the meetings, the Committee has also expressed its disappointment that London City Airport twice declined to attend.

Key areas of concern from the Environment Committee include:

• The impact of noise pollution on local residents and those on the flight path
• The carbon impacts of the expansion and the impact this will have on London’s net zero 2030 ambition
• The affect the expansion would have on the local road network, adding further congestion to London’s roads due to increased passenger numbers