An increase in the number of flights operating out of London City Airport “flies in face of climate obligations” according to Liberal Democrats in the capital.
The comments come ahead of a public meeting to be help tonight and due to be attended by LibDem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford and London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon. The meeting has been organised by Leyton & Wanstead Liberal Democrats.
Activists are unhappy at a decision to allow the airport to increase flights from 73,000 flights a year to 120,000 by the end of this year. A statement issued by Ludford on Friday claimed this was set to further increase to “170,000 by the end of 2010″.
Ludford says the decision by Newham Borough Council “flies in the face of EU and UK commitments to combat climate change.”
A spokesperson for City Airport told MayorWatch: “The application to increase flight movements from 80,000 to 120,000 per annum was carefully considered by London Borough of Newham over a long period and we are confident that a properly reasoned and balanced decision was taken by the council.”
“London City Airport is continuing to implement its many commitments to local communities made in the legal agreement we have signed with London Borough of Newham.”
The City Airport spokesman also queried the accuracy of figures contained in Ludford’s statement, insisting “the airport has not applied for, or been granted any flight movements beyond the 120,000 annual limit approved by London Borough of Newham.”
The meeting will be held Friday 2 October at 7pm at the Quaker Meeting Hall, Bush Road, Leytonstone, E11 3AU.
For the airport to question anyones figures is unbelievable. London City Airport have no consistant noise figures for a decade now and are all based on guesswork.
The baroness is indeed correct. London City Airport want the masterplan figure of 173,000 in place by 2010. infact the application was due in dec 2008 but the credit crunch held it back. Below is from their own consultitive committee showing the truth. More spin and lies from london city airport.
More Spin and Lies from London City Airport.
The airport is planning to increase flight to 173,000 according to their own masterplan. they have been granted 120,000 and are planning the next application which could be actioned any day yet has been delayed by credit crunch. I quote from their own lcacc
Master Plan Application
In the background the Airport has been developing a second planning application seeking approval for the facilities etc need to develop the Airport to the Master Plan. Last year the Airport said it expected the process for the second application would start late in 2008 after the decision on the interim application had been taken. The decline in the economy suggests that this application might now be delayed for a a while.
I wish people who write articles actually get proof instead of just talking the word of spokespeople.
The City Airport spokesman also queried the accuracy of figures contained in Ludford’s statement, insisting “the airport has not applied for, or been granted any flight movements beyond the 120,000 annual limit approved by London Borough of Newham.”
Firstly there was no statement made saying that LCY had officially put in for the next expansion plans. It’s known that LCY were expected to put in for the next expansion straight after this one was approved. The downturn in their business has stalled those plans.
Secondly If you just read London City Airports master plan Page 78 it shows what their plans are of ATM’s. It states 170,600 in total is expected.
Why is it groups like Fight The Flights are the only group that seem to find out whats really happening?
MayorWatch could learn from them!