London City Airport expansion plan faces backlash over noise fears

Plans to fly larger aircraft from London City Airport have run into opposition from a group of London Assembly politicians who warn the change would mean more flights, extra noise and increased emissions. The east London airport wants approval to lower its flight approach path by 90ft (27m) to accommodate planes such as the Airbus A320neo — a move its bosses say would allow it to increase passenger numbers with fewer flights than its current, smaller aircraft. They also insist the new planes will be less noisy. But the London Assembly's environment committee, in a letter to the airport's chief executive Andy Cliffe, said it was “particularly concerned about the potential noise impacts” of the change. The letter, signed by the committee's deputy chair Léonie Cooper, argued that the airport's projected data was “not sufficient to fully understand the noise impact, and the health and quality of life of residents living and working nearby”. The cross-party group is calling for any plans to be halted until “independent and real-world assessments” are carried out. Despite opposition from local residents, the airport was given government permission in 2024 to increase passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers a year. But to fly larger aircraft such as the A320neo — an updated version of the Airbus A320 — a more shallow flight approach is required, according to the airport. The committee also expressed concern that the change might be used to open new routes and therefore increase the overall number of flights. A spokesperson for London City Airport said the proposal would “unlock more destinations and support London's connectivity and economic growth”, adding that “larger capacity, new‑generation aircraft will mean fewer flights and less noise disturbance for local communities when compared to not making this change over the coming years”. The Civil Aviation Authority is due to make a decision on lowering the flight approach by this autumn.