The final planning permission has been granted for the £344 million expansion of London City Airport.
The work will see 500 construction jobs created to carry out the work of a terminal extension, more parking spaces for planes and an aircraft taxiway.
The airport will also make a series of investments into transport links, including investment in a bus and taxi access scheme, funding the cost of additional DLR rolling stock and improvements to walking and cycle routes to the airport.
Philip Hammon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, commented: “London City Airport’s ambitious growth plans will boost international connections, strengthening the City of London’s links to destinations across the world, and send a clear signal that Britain is open for business.”
Meanwhile, Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, believes that the new plans for London City Airport will deliver business and jobs for the capital and the UK in general.
He added that companies throughout the country will have the chance to bid for construction and procurement contracts worth almost £300 million, which means that the benefits of the expansion will be felt throughout the UK.
Meanwhile, London City Airport has started using Facebook Messenger to offer personalised flight information.
The airport has become the UK’s first to introduce the service for its customers following an initial short trial.
The scheme allows passengers with the Facebook Messenger app installed on their phones or tablets to send their flight number on the day of travel to the airport’s Flight Info Facebook page in order to receive personalised flight information.
Alison Fitzgerald, Chief Information Officer at London City Airport, commented: “The majority of our passengers are connected to social media and many of these are business travellers, so it makes perfect sense to offer flight updates directly to their smartphones via Facebook Messenger.”
Facebook Messenger is also able to give flight information to passengers who are waiting to greet friends and relatives arriving at the airport.
