The Government has approved London City Airport's plans to increase passenger numbers by more than a third despite objections by Newham Council.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh have signed off on plans to lift the airport's passenger cap from 6.5 million to nine million passengers per year.
The airport has also been granted permission to offer three extra flights in the first half-hour of each day. However, the ban on Saturday afternoon flights remains in force.
Newham Council had previously rejected the airport's proposals, citing concerns over noise pollution and other environmental impacts from the increase in flight numbers.
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, welcomed the news that the ban on flights during the weekend curfew remained in place but said she was ‘deeply concerned’ by the latest decision.
‘We will be studying the decision notice carefully and considering all options as we remain concerned about the detrimental impacts on the health and quality of life of our residents,’ she said.
