Back in October, London City airport was evacuated and flights were diverted as police investigated poisonous fumes possibly coming from the ladies' loos. Now it seems the cause might not have been the drains, but the planes.
The airport operates a unique parking system for aircraft with the tail exhaust pointing directly into the buildings. Not only does this pollute much of the air of east London, it also regularly stinks out the airport. Staff working there report dry mouths, headaches and breathing difficulties. Now the GMB union has had enough and commissioned an environmental report which confirms that volatile organic compounds have been found in the air sampled "sufficient to cause discomfort and possibly ill health".
The airport says its tests show that there is no problem, but has refused the union's request for full independent monitoring. In the meantime, City airport is seeking to double its size.
