City Airport must address noise and air pollution
concerns before expanding operations
Labour’s London Assembly Environment Spokesperson, Leonie Cooper AM, has rejected London City Airport’s proposals to nearly double the number of flights landing and taking off over densely populated London. This comes as part of her response to City Airport’s draft Master Plan consultation, which was launched in June on the back of its plans to accommodate the growing demands on air travel infrastructure over the next fifteen years.
One of the main proposals in City Airport’s draft Master Plan revolves around increasing the current annual cap on flight numbers from 111,000 to 151,000. Currently just 80,000 flights use the airport each year, meaning actual flight movements would be almost doubled. The airport is also seeking to increase aircraft movements into the first and last 30 minutes of operational hours, namely 6:30am-to 7am and 10am-10:30pm.
In her consultation response, Ms Cooper has made several recommendations in relation to these proposals. These are underscored by the concerns of environmental campaigners and residents living under the flight path towards the prospect of a further increase in levels of noise and air pollution generated by increased flight activity.
Specifically, Ms Cooper has called for a wider consultation and an independent assessment to take place before the airport is permitted to extend the existing cap on flight numbers.
In her response, she also urges the airport to keep its commitment to maintain, and ultimately increase, its current evening and weekend respite hours.
In terms of the airport’s proposals for securing greater flexibility around aircraft movements at the start and end of weekday operational hours, Ms Cooper asserts that the airport must reprioritise and focus upon resolving existing noise and flight path issues first.
As further measures to mitigate noise and air pollution issues, she has suggested that City Airport should invest in a larger range of noise monitors and commit to assessing the case for reducing landing fees for quieter and less polluting aircraft.
A report published by King’s College London revealed toxic air contributes to the premature deaths of almost 10,000 people in London each year.
Labour’s London Assembly Environment Spokesperson, Leonie Cooper AM, said:
“Whilst I welcome the consultation on London City Airport’s draft Master Plan, I have significant concerns about some of the proposals it puts forward.
“In a number of areas, the plan does not provide sufficient detail or modelling about the potential impact that increasing flight activity will have on local residents.
“We know that extending the airport’s operational capacity and almost doubling the number of flight movements per year will almost certainly increase levels of air pollution and exacerbate noise disruption for those living under flight paths.
“Before London City Airport proceeds with its plans, there is an onus upon them to produce a cast iron guarantee that they will act to prevent and reduce negative impacts on Londoners”.
ENDS
Related documents
Leonie Cooper AM: Response to London City Airport Consultation
Notes to editors
- Leonie Cooper AM’s response to the London City Airport consultation on its draft Master Plan can be found attached;
- More information about London City Airport’s consultation on its draft Master Plan can be found here;
- A report published by King’s College London revealed that air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of almost 10,000 people in London each year;