London City Airport restarts expansion plans

The airport has launched a 10-week public consultation on plans to increase annual passenger numbers from 6.5M to 9M.

To handle the additional passenger numbers, London City Airport has confirmed that it will return to previous plans to expand the airport’s terminal.

The airport’s consultation document adds: “The current terminal has permission for expansion as part of the CADP development.

“This development, coupled with enhanced passenger processing technologies will allow more passengers to be handled at a higher standard of service than achieved today. This includes continuous improvement of services for passengers with additional service needs, including engagement with representative groups and investment in facilities.”

The airport’s masterplan adds: “A new terminal will not be required to deliver the growth forecast in this master plan. The planned transformation and expansion of the terminal building […] will deliver efficiencies through internal re-design but may need to be further reconfigured and optimised to provide enough capacity to handle the forecast increased demand.”

Permission is also in place for a reconfiguration of the terminal forecourt to the east of the terminal to deliver new accommodation for buses as well as new drop-off and pick-up for taxis and private cars.

The airport’s proposed expansion requires no additional work to the runway or airfield due to construction activity carried out pre-pandemic.

Between 2017 and 2020, the airfield infrastructure at London City Airport was transformed, with the construction of a new 70,000m2 concrete deck to house the parallel taxiway and aircraft stands.

The deck was created by drilling 1,000 piles of concrete 20m below the bed of the King George V Dock. The project was carried out by Bam Nuttal.

The parallel taxiway is now operational, maximising the potential of the airport’s runway and providing the ability to allow 45 aircraft movements per hour when demand returns.

In addition, the airport now possesses eight new aircraft stands.

London City chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “The strength of our rebound [since the pandemic] demonstrates the huge pent-up demand for air travel and the need to plan responsibly for the future.

“Following our commitment to be the first net zero airport in London by 2030, these proposals set out how London City and its airlines can meet future demand in a sustainable way.

“In particular, it will accelerate investment in cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft, for use in the extended periods, delivering the benefit of quieter aircraft to our local community throughout the whole week.”

The 10-week public consultation runs from 1 July until 9 September.

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