Having been granted approval last year to increase its annual passenger cap to 9 million by 2031, London City Airport has submitted an application to enable the Airbus A320neo to operate at the central London hub.

The UK Government’s approval in August 2024 that London City could increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million 9 million came with a caveat that it would not see a rise in the permitted number of annual flights nor would it entail new infrastructure being built. This latest application would allow the airport to reach its permitted passenger capacity with fewer flight movements, stimulating economic growth while maintaining operational efficiency. It would also open up new routes for those travelling from heart of the UK’s capital and incentivise carriers to modernise their fleet to cleaner, quieter aircraft such as the A320neo.

The introduction of the A320neo, which can carry over 180 passengers and travel over 1,000km will help London City achieve its targets.

Currently the approach angle at the airport, which is surrounded by high rise buildings limits the type of aircraft that use the airport. To facilitate A320neo operations, London City’s application requests that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grant a new flight procedure (RNP AR), which would alter the approach angle at each runway end for this type of aircraft.

Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport, commented that the A320neo’s introduction at the air transport hub is “incredibly exciting.” She added it would “broaden the range of leisure destinations for our passengers, enable growth without increasing the number of flight movements, deliver much needed economic growth and accelerate re-fleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft.”

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