Tuesday, August 20, 2024 London City Airport’s proposal to extend Saturday operating hours has been denied, dealing a blow to its strategy for boosting leisure travel. London City Airport’s bid to extend its operating hours on Saturday afternoons has been rejected, marking a significant setback in its plans to attract more leisure travelers. The airport, located in London’s Docklands and surrounded by dense residential areas, currently ceases operations from 12:30 pm on Saturdays for 24 hours, providing local residents with a noise-free respite.
In an effort to boost leisure travel, the airport sought permission to operate until 6:30 pm on Saturdays, including an additional hour during British Summer Time. This proposal included up to a dozen extra arrivals during these extended hours. However, after a two-month public inquiry that concluded in February, the request was ultimately denied.
The refusal of this application represents a critical obstacle for the airport, which has been aiming to expand its appeal beyond business travelers to include more weekend leisure passengers. Despite the setback, London City Airport did achieve a significant victory in other areas of its expansion plans. Inspectors granted the airport permission to increase its passenger capacity from 6.
5 million to nine million annually, a crucial step in accommodating growing demand. Additionally, the airport received approval to expand its terminal, which will support the anticipated increase in passenger numbers and enhance the overall travel experience. Moreover, the airport secured permission for three additional early morning flights, primarily serving business travelers.
This expansion of early flights is expected to cater to the needs of professionals who rely on the airport for convenient access to key European destinations. Overall, while the denial of extended Saturday hours is a setback, London City Airport’s successful bid to increase passenger numbers and enhance its facilities demonstrates its ongoing commitment to growth and service improvement..
