Thursday 2 September saw Helvetic Airways make its first commercial flight with an Embraer E190-E2 into London City Airport. As well as catering for leisure passengers and those visiting family and friends, the aircraft, which had flown from Zurich to London in 1 hour and 20 minutes, has re-established an essential link for the global financial community.
Operated by Helvetic Airways on behalf of its partner company Swiss International Air Lines, the flight carrying 110 passengers was welcomed by a water salute from London City Airport’s fire service. The Embraer E190-E2 is described as being particularly suitable for operations at the legendary Thames-side airport, which has a runway length of only 1,508 m and descent angles of up to 5.5 degrees.
“Thanks to a reduction of almost 20% in fuel consumption and a noise footprint at take-off that is 63% smaller than our previous -generation aircraft, the E190-E2 delivers not only significant reductions in emissions but also a much quieter experience for local residents,” said Cesar Perreira, Embraer’s VP Sales and Marketing EMEA.
London City Airports’ COO, Alison FitzGerald, also commented on the arrival of the newcomer saying: “Welcoming Swiss and Helvetic back, and with the newest LCY-capable aircraft, Embraer E190-E2, is a significant milestone for London City. It demonstrates how we are collaborating with manufacturers and airlines to introduce more low-emission, low-noise aircraft to our airport, as well as re-establishing a vital business connection which we believe will go from strength to strength as the UK Government begins to further reduce barriers to travel. Our ambition is to be one of the most sustainable airports of our size in Europe, and it is my expectation that we will be welcoming more of these aircraft with more airlines as the industry recovers from COVID-19.”
Embraer aircraft already account for nearly 90% of all movements at London City Airport. As well as offering cleaner, quieter flights the E190-E2 almost doubles the available range from the airport to more than 4,000 km, bringing destinations such as Istanbul, Casablanca and Moscow within reach for the first time.
“With this world premiere, we are particularly proud to be able to offer a product of the highest level in terms of comfort, quiet and sustainability,” concluded Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways. “We are convinced that the Embraer E2 is perfectly suited to the requirements of business customers flying between the financial centres of London and Zurich.”
Helvetic Airways has a fleet of 12 Embraer E2 aircraft and is currently the largest Embraer E-Jet operator in the world.
