Campaigners based in Thamesmead are going to court to challenge a decision to allow 50% more flights to use London City Airport.
Fight The Flights, which is backed by Greenwich Green Party, says Newham Council should have taken into account long-term government plans to cut aviation emissions, and had failed to consult neighbouring councils before making its decision. Friends of the Earth is helping the group launch its case against the east London authority.
London City Airport’s flightpath takes its planes over west Thamesmead, while take offs and and landings can be heard along Greenwich borough’s riverside. Fight the Flights represents local people on both sides of the Thames who oppose the airport’s expansion.
Fight the Flights’ Anne Marie Griffin said: "Increasing flights at London City Airport is completely wrong – it will bump up carbon emissions and add to the misery of local people who are already suffering from poor air quality and noise disturbance. There are much better ways to bring jobs to this area."
"We appeal to members of the public who care about the environment and about our community to help us fight this decision by donating to help fund our legal challenge."
Friends of the Earth’s head of legal Phil Michaels said: "The decision to expand London City Airport is ludicrous and should be reversed – to tackle climate change we urgently need to curb flights, not increase them. This legal challenge aims to give both the planet and local people a voice in this sort of decision."
Fight the Flights also took park a protest on Tuesday to mark the launch of luxury flights to New York from the airport. Just 32 passengers will be able to use each flight across the Atlantic, with planes having to refuel in Ireland because City Airport’s runway cannot cope with planes with a full fuel load. The British Airways flights have been condemned by both Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.