BORIS Johnson is backing calls for a public review of the controversial new London City Airport flight path brought in last year. The London Mayor gave his support at a packed meeting organised by the Fight the Flights’ campaign

By Mike Brooke

BORIS Johnson is backing calls for a public review of the controversial new London City Airport flight path brought in last year.

The London Mayor gave his support at a packed meeting in Ilford on Wednesday organised by the Fight the Flights’ campaign.

MPs and local authorities across East London have been inundated with complaints since the flight path went ahead.

“We have won the Mayor’s backing for a public review,” said campaign spokesperson Anne-Marie Griffin.

“Residents were not properly consulted before it was introduced. Now is the time for a proper consultation.”

The Civil Aviation Authority is reviewing the flight path later this year.

But campaigners fear it will be carried out behind closed doors.

The CAA insists the flight path is needed to cater for the increased number of jets using the airport.

But it has resulted in aircraft noise being a problem for the first time across East London, with planes taking off at the rate of one every two minutes at peak times.

City Airport was given the go-ahead by Newham Council to expand flights from 76,000 to 120,000 a year. Campaigners launched a legal challenge in September to the controversial decision.