Expansion Plans Not Yet Uhuru For Nearest Airport to Woolwich As London City Airport Expansion Plans Halted

* London City Airport on the market for £2 billion.

by Benson Agoha | Aviation

Hopes that an appeal launched by the London City Airport, the closest airport to Woolwich Arsenal, will be successful has been dashed after the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson issued a directed to New Ham Council to veto the plan.

The airport has witnessed increase in traffic flow and sought to expand by building a new parallel taxi lane, extending the existing terminal and creating extra parking spaces for larger planes.

It was a plan that would have seen a £200 million investment by owners Global Infra­structure Partners (GIP) and Oak­tree Capital.

They promptly put it on the market for an offload after an initial approval by the New Ham Council was reversed following an intervention by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

The airport thrives on business travellers bound to and from European cities and although little in comparison with Heathrow and Gatwick, its passenger numbers have been growing rapidly, from 2.8m in 2010 to 4.1m passengers this year, according to the City A.M.

Despite the £2 billion price tag, the Airport already has many suitors lining up for its acquisition, but even if it is sold, the new buyers will still have to contend with handling the rising volume of passengers with its available limited resources.

It is believed that the arrival of Crossrail, which passes by the London City Airport, will provide some relief, but it is only in terms of passengers' travel.  Crossrail's nearest station to the City Aiport customers will be either Woolwich Arsenal or Custom House for Excell.

For now, any expansion plan for City Airport remains wishful thinking, as the Mayor of London worries about it potentially creating a “noise ghetto” for south eastern residents in general and people living under the flight path in particular.

* City A.M.

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