London City Airport has opened a consultation into allowing larger planes to take off and land – saying it will result in a smaller increase in flights as the airport expands. 

The airport, in the Royal Docks, is proposing to slightly lower the landing path for planes as they approach the runway. 

Take-offs and landings can be heard across much of Greenwich, Charlton and Woolwich, while the flightpath passes over Thamesmead.

Changing the landing path would allow new-generation larger planes, such as the Airbus A320neo, to serve the airport. The A320neo is said to be more fuel-efficient than the original A320 model and can carry almost twice as many passengers as the most common aircraft at the airport, the Embraer E190. 

The airport says it would also be “noticeably quieter” on take-off. 

The government allowed London City Airport to expand its operations in 2024, with more early morning flights and a maximum of nine million passengers each year, up from its current limit of six and a half million. 

There were some 50,000 flight movements in 2024, according to the Civil Aviation Authority, which will take the final decision on whether flight paths can be lowered. Airport bosses say that by 2038, if the change is allowed, that figure would rise to 77,368. Without the change, it would increase to 101,502 flights. 

Jet at London City Airport
The airport says larger planes would allow for a slower growth in flights. Image: London City Airport

Andy Cliffe, the airport’s chief executive, said: “This consultation marks an important moment for London City Airport and the communities around us. Our proposals would allow us to grow more sustainably by reducing the number of flights and the level of noise people would experience when compared with not making this change. 

“By enabling quieter and more efficient aircraft to operate at London City Airport, we can deliver the benefits of growth while lessening the impact on those who live nearby.

“It would also accelerate the creation of up to 4,000 new jobs and the introduction of new airlines and exciting new routes and destinations for passengers.”

A drop-in event will take place at Thamesmere Leisure Centre in Thamesmead on April 21 between 3pm and 7pm. Other events will place at Chrisp Street Idea Store, Poplar, on April 9 and Wanstead Library on April 16, both between 3pm and 7pm.

There is also an exhibition at the airport itself.

The consultation, which is open until May 17, is at www.londoncityairport.com/acp.

In January, the airport introduced an £8 drop-off charge to encourage travellers to use public transport to reach their flights.

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