Campaign group HACAN, which opposes the expansion of London airports, said the decision regarding Saturday flights was a “win for residents” that would maintain a full 24 hours free of aircraft noise.
The decision to back expansion at London City comes after the Government indicated last month that it would view a renewed application for a third runway at Heathrow airport in a positive light.
A spokesman for Ms Reeves said the Government is not opposed in principle to new or longer runways or to people flying more, provided proposals foster economic growth while meeting conditions regarding climate change obligations and noise and air pollution.
The cautious support for airport expansion within Cabinet may yet be tested. Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, came close to resigning from Gordon Brown’s administration in protest over plans for a third runway at Heathrow given environmental concerns. He has since softened his opposition but remains a staunch advocate for green issues within Cabinet.
Located in London’s Docklands, London City is especially popular with Britain’s financial community, being much closer to the City and Canary Wharf districts than the capital’s other terminals.