PRESSURE group Stop Northolt has been reassured by Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP Boris Johnson that flights to and from the RAF base will continue to be capped.

Mr Johnson says he has secured a new pledge from the Government to ensure civil aircraft movements at RAF Northolt will remain capped at 12,000 a year.

He met Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood this week to warn against commercialisation of RAF Northolt and try to secure Government backing.

He wrote: “I am delighted to have secured a firm commitment that the strict limits on type and number of commercial flights will stay in place and that flights by scheduled airlines will remain prohibited.”

He also pressed the Defence Secretary to keep residents informed about the upcoming renovation of the airfield and to minimise disruptions where possible.

Stop Northolt says it marks a step in the right direction from the Government.

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Mr Johnson’s letter comes in the same week as the publication of Sadiq Khan’s London Plan.

This includes a new policy on the regulation of scheduled flights, which is a further concession to residents concerned about commercialisation of RAF Northolt.

The London Plan says: “Any significant shift in the mix of operations using an airport – for example introduction of scheduled flights at airports not generally offering such flights – should normally be refused.”

A spokesperson from Stop Northolt said: “It is an important line in the sand that there cannot be any increases in commercial flights or private jets from RAF Northolt.

“We look forward to a more open and constructive dialogue between residents and the authorities.”