London City Airport seeks CAA approval for Airbus A320neo operations

London City Airport (LCY) has applied to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for permission to allow Airbus A320neo aircraft to operate from the capital’s smallest aviation hub.  

The CEO of London City, Alison FitzGerald, believes the move would help “broaden” the airport’s leisure destinations with fewer flight movements and see carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air flying to/from LCY. 

Arguing for the change, London City said that introducing A320neo aircraft would “stimulate economic growth while maintaining operational efficiency” and “introduce cleaner, quieter aircraft as part of its plans to grow in the most sustainable way possible”.  

“It would open up a range of possible new routes for passengers while incentivising airlines to modernise their fleet from older to newer generation aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo, which are more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly and quieter,” said a spokesperson for the airport on January 27, 2024.  

Due to its central London location among the city’s financial district the type of aircraft that can land at the airport is restricted.  

The aircraft must be capable of making the steep approach that is required, and pilots must also be qualified to execute this type of landing.  

Currently, the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 and the Airbus A220 are among the aircraft that are certified to operate from the airport. 

“The potential introduction of the A320neo aircraft at London City Airport is incredibly exciting. 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 refleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft,” said Fitzgerald.  

The airport’s application is specifically asking the CAA to approve a new flight procedure (RNP AR) which would alter the approach angle for this aircraft at each runway end.  

The current approach angle limits the type of aircraft that use the airport and requires those that can be certified for a steep approach. 

In August 2024, the UK government approved London City’s plans to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to 9 million by 2031 as a driver of economic growth.   

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