London City Airport unveils £400m redevelopment plans to mark 30th anniversary

An artist's impression of London City Airport's seven new aircraft stands and a parallel taxiway, part of a £400 million redevelopment
PA
Chris Baynes26 October 2017

London City Airport has marked its 30th anniversary by unveiling artists' impressions of a planned £400 million redevelopment.

The privately funded project includes extending the terminal to accommodate more passengers, building seven new aircraft stands and creating a parallel taxiway to boost runway capacity.

The revamp was given the go-ahead by ministers in July last year.

Two million more passengers a year will be able to use to use the airport from 2025, with 30,000 additional flights annually.

An artist's impression of the new terminal
PA

The east London airport is also building the UK's first digital air traffic control tower, which will begin operation in 2019.

Four-and-a-half million passengers used London City last year and around 50 routes are now served.

The first commercial flight at the airport was operated by Brymon Airways with 40 passengers flying from Plymouth.

Its location close to the centre of the capital has made London City particularly popular with business travellers.

The redevelopment was approved by ministers last year
PA

The airport's chief executive Declan Collier said: "Over the past 30 years, London City Airport has become an intrinsic part of London's transport system; growing responsibly to a record-breaking 4.6 million annual passengers in 2016, creating local employment, and connecting business and leisure travellers with the UK, Europe and beyond.

"As we celebrate this anniversary, we look to a bright future ahead and the world-class transformation which is soon to commence.

"The City Airport Development Programme presents the opportunity to create an airport of the future, which will help meet demand in the London market and increase connectivity."

An aerial view of London City Airport
Andrew Holt/London City Airport/PA Wire

The redevelopment was formally approved by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid after London Mayor Sadiq Khan withdrew his predecessor Boris Johnson's objection to the airport buying public land to expand.

Mr Khan said the new-look airport would bring "much-needed new employment" to the area and show that "London is open to trade and commerce globally".

London City Airport has said the project will create 2,000 new staff and construction jobs and will add an extra £750m to the UK economy per year.

An artist's impression of seven new aircraft stands planned for London City Airport
PA

But the expansion has been slammed as "reckless" and "terrible news" by environmental campaigners.

Green Party London Assembly member Caroline Russell said it flew in the face of the battle against climate change.

Critics also fear the expansion will lead to more traffic on London roads, more noise and more pollution.

Construction is due to begin early next year.

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