Plans have been put forward by London City Airport to double passenger numbers to 6 million in the next 10 years.
The £200 million expansion planned for the Docklands airport would see the numbers of flights per year rise from 70,000 to 120,000 – a level already permitted under an application granted in 2009.
The plans include new parking stands to accommodate larger aircraft, a parallel taxi lane to optimise the use of the airport’s single runway in peak times and expansion of the terminal.
However, there are no plans for a second runway or to extend the existing runway.
Airport chief executive Declan Collier said: “The airport currently employs just under 2,100 people, of which 60% are local.
“The proposed development has the potential to create as many as 1,500 new jobs, providing further employment in east London.
“In terms of the wider UK economy, the airport already contributes £750 million a year through business and leisure tourist spend, the operation of businesses on site, productivity savings and Air Passenger Duty; and when this project is completed, we can expect to double that amount.”
There are 48 destinations served by 11 airlines currently using the airport, which is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners.