London City Airport (LCY) has broached the subject of an east London heliport to cater to the capital’s helicopter traffic. With the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, the airport believes the time has come to develop a coordinated approach to helicopter activity in the capital. It currently has only one public heliport, at Battersea in west London.

The airport put its suggestion to the London Assembly’s Environment Committee, which is conducting an investigation into helicopter noise in London. LCY managing director Richard Gooding outlined plans to build a helipad on the banks of the Thames. A specific site has yet to be identified, but he ruled out the airport, where helicopters would conflict with existing operations.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said he will consider the need to identify sites in east London for an additional heliport to support London’s economy.

Gooding said, “The Olympics will cause a lot of demand for this type of flight, so let’s use this opportunity to plan and do this properly. Doing nothing is not an option.”