Climate campaigners concerned as London City airport expansion proposal given green light

UK ministers have approved London City airport’s proposal to expand. The airport is seeking to increase capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers a year by putting on more flights. But climate campaigners are left disappointed.

Critics of the expansion plan argue the air and noise pollution could affect people living nearby and that it could potentially increase carbon emissions. Climate change has turned into one of the greatest threats to humanity as it elevates temperatures and makes storms more serious.

Labour government taking a soft stance on issue so far

The statement announcing the ministers’ decision highlighted that there is unlikely to be harm from any extra noise pollution caused by additional flights, and that it is right to respond to the forecasted increase in demand of flights.

Nonetheless, although the government has accepted the higher passenger cap of 9 million, it rejected the London City airport’s proposals to extend its Saturday afternoon operating hours to 6:30 pm. The airport currently closes at 12:30 pm on Saturdays.

Besides this airport, several other English airports are also seeking expansion. Luton and Stansted are all pushing to increase passenger capacity. Led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the ruling Labour government has taken a soft stance on the issue so far.

In focus: UK’s legally binding net zero objectives by 2050

The Guardian reported that over 54.1% of the journeys taken from the London City airport last year can be reached in six hours or less. It cited an analysis that found that destinations served by the airport are mostly in mainland Europe and could be reached easily by train.

The Climate Change Committee – an expert group created by the last Labour government – has recommended there should be no net airport expansion in the UK if the country is going to meet its legally binding net zero objectives by 2050.