Proposals to allow larger aircraft to land at London City Airport could be put on hold as local politicians have expressed concerns about noise pollution.
The airport, the capital’s most centrally located, was given permission to ramp up passenger numbers by 40% in 2024 after ministers overruled Newham Council, which had objected to the plan. But the application did not allow for an increase in the number of flights. Instead, numbers would be boosted by allowing airlines to land higher capacity next-generation planes that operate at a lower decibel level on their descent compared with others of a similar size.
But in a letter to the airport’s chief executive Andy Cliffe, the London Assembly Environment Committee expresses concern “about the potential noise impacts of the proposed lower approach paths to landing to enable Airbus A320neo aircraft to use the airport”.
A320neos are supposed to be significantly quieter than older generations of aircraft, with the ‘neo’ standing for New Engine...