London City Airport (LCA) has lost its bid to overturn the ban on Saturday afternoon flights, but it has been granted permission to increase its annual passenger capacity. The airport, located in Newham, east London, had sought to extend the current Saturday curfew from 12:30pm to 6:30pm, hoping to accommodate more flights during the weekend. However, the government has decided to uphold the existing restrictions, citing strong opposition from local residents and campaigners.
The decision reflects ongoing concerns about noise and disruption in the surrounding communities, which have long opposed any extension of flight operations into Saturday afternoons. Campaigners argued that maintaining the curfew was essential for preserving the quality of life for those living near the airport, and the government ultimately agreed.
While the curfew remains in place, LCA has been successful in its bid to raise its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to 9 million by 2031. This increase is seen as a significant boost for the airport, allowing it to grow its passenger numbers over the coming years despite the flight restrictions.
The government noted that this increase is feasible due to the introduction of newer, more efficient aircraft, which LCA described as “cleaner and quieter.” These planes can accommodate more passengers per flight, enabling the airport to handle a larger number of travelers without increasing the total number of flights, which will remain capped at 111,000 per year.
Campaign group HACAN East has lauded the government’s recent decision as a significant victory for local residents, with Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz also celebrating it as a triumph for the community. The ruling upholds the ban on Saturday afternoon flights at London City Airport, a measure that many residents and activists had been advocating for. Despite the restriction remaining in place, the airport has been granted permission to increase its annual passenger capacity.
However, the airport did secure a partial win with changes to its flight schedule. The number of early-morning flights is set to rise from six to nine, a development that Mayor Fiaz has expressed concern about. She worries that the increase in early-morning flights could aggravate existing issues related to noise and disruption for the local population, further impacting their quality of life.
Fiaz emphasized that local authorities will thoroughly review the decision and consider all available options. The ongoing concern is that these adjustments could negatively affect residents’ health and well-being. The local community has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the current noise levels from the airport, and any increase in flight activity is seen as a potential exacerbation of these problems.
The decision follows last year’s rejection by Newham Council of the airport’s proposal to relax Saturday flight restrictions. The council’s decision was influenced by concerns over environmental impacts, including climate change, noise pollution, and overall disruption. A public inquiry had previously highlighted significant local grievances regarding the airport’s operations.
London City Airport expressed its disappointment with the partial rejection of its appeal, arguing that extending the Saturday afternoon curfew would have provided greater flexibility for passengers. Chief Executive Alison FitzGerald noted that the denial of the extended operating hours would delay the introduction of newer, quieter aircraft, which the government had acknowledged in its decision.
Environmental groups have criticized the approval to raise passenger numbers, with Greenpeace UK calling it a “surprising misstep” that undermines the UK’s climate leadership. They argue that the expansion primarily benefits affluent travelers while imposing additional environmental burdens on less privileged neighborhoods. Johann Beckford from the Green Alliance also expressed disappointment, noting that the decision conflicts with the government’s climate commitments and the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee, which views airport expansion as incompatible with achieving net zero emissions. Concerns have also been raised about increased noise pollution potentially worsening existing sleep and anxiety issues among local residents.