London City Airport: Mayor's office against weekend flights

Plans to increase passenger numbers and change weekend flying times at London City Airport have been opposed by the London mayor's office. Arrivals and departures are not allowed at the airport between 12:30 BST on Saturday and 12:30 on Sunday. Airport management want to operate flights until 18:30 on a Saturday, under plans submitted to Newham Council. Deputy mayor for planning, Jules Pipe, said it does not fit the London Plan. The proposal for the airport also includes increasing passenger numbers from 6.5m per year to 9m and allowing up to 12 more arrivals between 18:30 and 19:30 in British Summer Time. But it is not looking to increase its 111,000 annual flight limit. The scheme was described by the Greater London Authority (GLA) as "the most substantial proposed change to the airport's operations since it first opened 35 years ago". More than 500 people have objected to the plans, including Lewisham Council. In a letter from the council's environmental protection team, they argued that there was "no justification for ending the 24-hour ban" of flights on weekends. Lewisham Council said it was concerned that changing the operating hours would result in more noise and air pollution for residents.<br/>