London City Airport Expansion Intends to Increase Passenger Capacity

London City Airport is considering the introduction of larger aircraft as part of its plans to increase annual passenger capacity to nine million by 2031.

The UK Government approved the higher passenger limit in 2024, raising the airport's permitted capacity from 6.5 million passengers a year. London City Airport currently handles around four million passengers annually, with much of its traffic serving short-haul European destinations.

One of the measures being considered to accommodate future growth is a change to the airport's approach procedure. London City Airport has applied to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for permission to introduce a shallower landing approach that would allow larger aircraft to operate at the airport. 

The airport believes that increasing the average number of passengers carried by each aircraft could enable it to move towards the nine-million-passenger limit without a corresponding increase in flight numbers.

The proposal has, however, raised concerns about the potential effects of larger aircraft flying on a lower approach path over surrounding communities. Members of the London Assembly have called for further independent assessment of noise and environmental impacts before the changes are approved. 

“Airport expansion will unlock jobs, strengthen Britain’s connectivity, and attract international investment, and we have been clear that it must support our decarbonisation goals while minimising impacts on local communities.” said a Department for Transportation representative. London City Airport maintains that its expansion plans can support economic activity and employment in East London while allowing passenger numbers to grow through greater use of modern, higher-capacity aircraft rather than through a proportionate rise in aircraft movements.

Source