HUNDREDS of climate campaigners gathered outside the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on Wednesday, demanding a halt to expansion plans for London City Airport.

Last week, ministers rejected plans to expand the airport’s operating hours but approved a bid to increase passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million by 2031. 

Chanting “they fly, we die,” protesters called on communities minister and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to revoke the decision.

Newham Council is considering legal action against the government over the decision. 

Fossil Free London spokeswoman Joanna Warrington said: “By approving City Airport’s expansion, Rayner is choosing frequent flyers, private-jet users and executive profits over protecting the majority from emissions, dirty air and the constant drone of needless flights.  

“We’re quite simply running out of time to avert the worst effects of climate breakdown.

“The last thing our leaders should be doing is approving high-carbon, pointless projects.”

London is already the most exposed city in the world to air pollution from aviation, according to think tank Transport & Environment.