A MAJOR UK airport has been given permission for a huge expansion project that would add almost an extra 50 per cent of its capacity.
The UK government has approved the plans for London City Airport, which will be able to process an extra 2.5 million passengers, when the work is complete.
The decision overturns a blocked local-level decision, but maintains a ban on Saturday afternoon flights at the airport.
London City initially wanted to scrap that curfew, as it sought to expand annual capacity to 9 million passengers, up from 6.5 million, by 2031.
Currently flights cannot take off on Saturday afternoons from 12:30pm to 6:30pm local time.
While permission has been given for the expansion, the curfew will remain in place, following a review by the government.
On Monday a document published on the government website stated: “The Secretaries of State agree with the Inspectors’ conclusions, and agree with their recommendation.
“They have decided to grant planning permission, subject to revised conditions that maintain the existing Saturday curfew period.”
London City Airport has said that it is pleased with the decision to increase the passenger cap but was disappointed the government had not approved extended Saturday operating hours.
The airport claims that the curfew will cause airlines to introduce cleaner and quieter aircraft more slowly at the site.
A government spokesperson said in a statement:”We are committed to securing the long-term future of the aviation sector in the UK while protecting our environmental obligations.”
The plan was initially rejected in July 2023 by Newham Council, which runs the borough in which the airport operates because of concerns relating to climate, air quality and noise.
However, the decision is one of the first big infrastructure planning calls made by the new Labour government after getting elected in July.
Since taking office, ministers have pledged to streamline planning processes and boost construction in all sectors.
London City boasts of offering routes to more than 30 “exciting destinations”.
That includes places like Barcelona, Faro, Malaga, Mykonos and Ibiza, among others.
London City isn't the only airport with huge renovation plans.
Manchester Airport has been working on a huge £1.3billion transformation, with plenty of brand-new facilities.
The project was first announced back in 2015, and was split into two phases.
The early stages saw the airport’s Terminal 2 more than double in size before its west side reopened to passengers in July 2021.
Now in its final phase, work is focusing on the east side of Terminal 2, including a second pier with additional boarding gates.
Construction work on the pier began back in June 2023, and it is nearly complete.
When the brand-new pier opens, it will double the aircraft capacity at Manchester Airport.
Airbus A380 passenger jets will also compatible with the new boarding gates.
There are plenty of other features for passengers to get excited about when the expansion opens in 2025, including 27 new restaurants, bars and shops.
Whether or not the airport will get extra routes as a result of its expansion remains to be seen.
What also remains to be seen is how the decision will impact other airport expansion projects.
Several other English airports, including London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Luton and London Stansted all have plans to increase passenger capacity, be it with new runways or terminal expansions.
It is not yet clear whether or what the government’s stance is on those projects.
Environmental think tank Green Alliance said the decision to give London City the green light to expand was disappointing.
However, one local campaign group said the rejection of Saturday afternoon flights was a big win for residents.
Rokhsana Fiaz, the mayor of Newham, said she was concerned about the decision to allow an increase in flights during early mornings but welcomed the Saturday curfew.
Meanwhile, this new £4.7bn airport will be the biggest in its continent when it’s built.
And this £564m airport will be built in an overlooked European city by 2029.
