GREEN MEP Caroline Lucas has urged Southampton airport bosses to listen the city's residents who oppose extra flights because of noise and climate change.
The plea came as Dr Lucas, who represents the south-east of England including Hampshire, met a group of about 20 local residents who live under the airport flightpaths.
Dr Lucas, who has opposed increased activity at the airport, sits on the European Parliament's influential environment committee that considers EU aviation policy.
She said: "I have met Bitterne Park residents before and am well aware of the strength of feeling against expansion of the airport.
"This year has seen an increase in flights and I wanted to hear for myself about any negative impact this has had on residents."
The airport recently announced that 146,400 passengers travelled through the airport in March, a 5.5 per cent increase on the same month last year.
New routes to Verona, Frankfurt, and Nice have also been added to the list of destinations.
The airport's masterplan estimates that passenger numbers will soar from the 1.84 million in 2005 to 6 million passengers in 2030. The number of take-off and landings are anticipated to grow from 43,900 in 2005 to 96,300 in 2030.
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