London City Airport expansion plans take off in cloud of criticism

A £15 million expansion programme announced by London City Airport to mark its 25th anniversary has been criticised by campaigners over the increasing number of flights—double the restrictions imposed when it first opened. London City Airport is to submit a planning application shortly for more infrastructure to allow for expansion and for medium haul flights.  But the expansion year-on-year goes against the original planning when the airport was opened on November 5, 1987.   Only 4 airlines operated from the airport in 1987, with flights to just 3 destinations—Plymouth, Paris and Brussels. Today, 25 years on, 10 airlines fly to 42 destinations across the UK and Europe, as well as twice-a-day to New York.  Hacan East, which represents families living under the flight paths across east London, has accused airport bosses of broken promises. The government inspector at the original airport public inquiry in the 1980s restricted aircraft to quiet turbo-props rather than the jets that proliferate today, and flights limited to 30,000 a year.   

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Airport bosses celebrated a-quarter-of-a-century in expanding business yesterday with plans announced for more flights, new departure gates and passenger lounge facilities, including upgrading the International Arrivals hall.

The work is expected to take off early in the New Year.

Airport chief executive Declan Collier said yesterday: “The investment means we can absorb some European air traffic from other airports in the South East that are beginning to feel the strain.”

But the expansion year-on-year goes against the original planning when the airport was opened by the Queen on the former quayside in the Royal Docks on November 5, 1987, campaigners stress.

Only four airlines operated from the airport in 1987, with flights to just three destinations—Plymouth, Paris and Brussels.

Today, 25 years on, 10 airlines fly to 42 destinations across the UK and Europe, as well as twice-a-day to New York.

Hacan East, which represents families living under the flight paths across east London, has accused airport bosses of broken promises.

The government inspector at the original airport public inquiry in the 1980s restricted aircraft to quiet turbo-props rather than the jets that campaigners say proliferates today, and flights limited to 30,000 a year, Hacan pointed out.

“The airport has failed the families,” claimed campaign chairman John Stewart. “It’s just not believable that it had any intention of keeping the promises made 25 years ago. We’ve had a-quarter-of-a-century of expansion based on deception.”

   [Map showing location:    Map   indicating how many homes are close to the airport]

City Airport, just three miles from Canary Wharf and six from the City, currently handles 70,000 flights a year—more than double when it opened—with plans to increase to 120,000 flights carrying 10 million passengers.

It also celebrated its millionth flight this year as well as its 36 millionth passenger.

Some 3.2 million passengers are expected this year to pass through the airport, with its 20-minute check-in and 10-minute arrival from tarmac to public transport links.