City Airport application update

In June, Mayor Boris Johnson asked that the application to increase flight numbers from 80,000 to 120,000 a year be delayed while he awaits reports.

Mr Johnson said he wanted to the findings of an investigation by the National Air Traffic Service into the likely impact of increased air movements on the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge as well as another Nats report into its impact on the wider local area.

But last week, he gave the go ahead for the plans to be considered by Newham Borough Council.

The authority is now due to consider the application next month, although an official date has yet to be announced.

A spokesman for the Mayor’s office, Richard Brookes, said: “Although generally supportive of the City Airport expansion plans the Mayor wrote to Newham Council asking it to defer its decision until he had received further information on the impact of increased flight movements on areas around the airport earmarked for regeneration.

“He also wanted to await the results of a study of any potential risks to the proposed the Thames Gateway Bridge.

“The results from the study and the information provided by Newham have now resolved the issues he raised.�

Meanwhile, no comment has been made by the airport on the impact of AIG’s recent financial upheaval.
The American company, which part owns London City, was given a cash injection by the US government to help it out of financial difficulties.

But it has been reported that the resulting cutbacks could mean reductions in staff at the airport.