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.
