City Airport expands and adds 40,000 more flights

London's City Airport is to schedule 40,000 more flights as part of an expansion plan.

Despite residents' fears of increased noise, the number of flights will increase from 80,000 to 120,000.

There are no plans to change the airport's operating hours, so it will continue to close at night and for 24 hours at the weekend.

The decision backed by Mayor Boris Johnson was made last night by Newham council. Supporters say the proposals will create 1,000 extra jobs in one of the capital's most deprived boroughs.

However, Jenny Bates, of Friends of the Earth, said: "People are so angry. They were leaving the meeting in disgust.

"Boris's support flies in the face of his commitment to reduce carbon emissions."

But a Newham council spokeswoman said: "We have listened to local residents' concerns about noise and as a result we recommend that the aircraft movements are capped at 120,000 per year.

"We have disallowed the application to increase early morning movements."

She added that the borough would benefit from extra jobs and an increased income of £26 million a year. "We will work with the airport to ensure local residents will directly benefit from the decision," she said.

There will be no second runway for the increased flights.