The Government has approved London City Airport’s plans to increase annual passenger numbers but rejected a request to operate after 12.30pm on Saturdays.

London City’s passenger cap will increase from 6.5 million to 9m and the airport has also been allowed to fly three extra flights in the first half hour of operations during the week.

However, the airport had requested its Saturday operations be extended from 12.30pm to 6.30pm, but this was rejected.

London City Airport CEO Alison FitzGerald said: “While we welcome the approval to increase our passenger numbers, we are disappointed with the Government’s decision to reject our proposal to fly from 12:30pm to 6:30pm on Saturday afternoons.

“As the Government has recognised in its decision, rejecting our request to extend our Saturday afternoon operating hours will slow down airlines bringing cleaner, quieter next generation aircraft to the airport.

“Local residents would have had the added benefit of these aircraft operating at the airport throughout the week, not just in the extended operating hours.”