London City Airport is contemplating a legal response to Angela Rayner’s decision to restrict expanded services on weekends.

Airport officials and their legal team are examining the details of a 233-page ruling that rejects extending operating hours on Saturdays from 12.30pm to 6.30pm.

Potential actions include a High Court challenge or initiating a judicial review of the decision.

The housing secretary’s decision was unexpected, especially since she approved increasing London City’s annual passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million. Additionally, the airport can operate three extra flights in the first half-hour of weekday operations.

Industry sources indicate that rejecting Saturday afternoon flights has significantly impacted the feasibility of achieving the higher passenger cap.

In 2016, a Canadian consortium acquired London City for £2 billion, with weekend expansion seen as crucial to the business’s valuation.

Despite the setback, airport officials are determined to move forward with constructing a new £500 million terminal.

“We remain committed to delivering our City Airport development programme, which includes expanding our existing terminal,” said a spokesperson for the airport.

“This summer, London City completed major upgrades to its departure lounge, further enhancing the passenger experience through significant investment.”

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