London City go-ahead

Newham Council has finally given London City Airport the go-ahead for a £200m expansion. 

Declan Collier. Chief Executive of the airport, welcomed the decision as a "great result for the capital."

Under the plans, the airport will triple in size by 2023 so as to accommodate larger aircraft such as the all new Bombardier CSeries with routes extending beyond Western Europe to reach as far as Eastern Europe and the Gulf area.

The expansion is predicted to double passenger numbers to six million and create up to 2,000 jobs.  A 4-star hotel will be built on site.

Flights during the peak morning and evening times will be increased from 38 to 45. In total, flights per year would jump from 70,000 to 111,000.  If all goes to plan, the local economy will benefit to the tune of £1.5bn.

Collier said the expansion would "deliver a world-class international gateway to Newham and London and generate additional short-haul aviation capacity for the UK."

Assuming London Mayor Boris Johnson ticks the project, work could start by the end of the year.  Any negative intervention by Johnson, the Conservative candidate for Uxbridge, dependent on Heathrow for work, could have repercussions for his Westminster bid.

Also announced at this time is CAA approval for the Embraer Phenon to use the airport, the smallest executive jet to date to be granted this facility.   www.londoncityairport.com

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