London City Airport files an application allow A320neos to operate from the airport

London City Airport is an odd little beast. Based in the Albert Docks in the East End of London, it has grown its operation multiple times over since its operations commenced in 1987.

It seems the airport wants larger aircraft to operate there, with the airport filing an application with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to allow the Airbus A320neo to operate to and from the airport.

The airport is seeking to introduce the A320neo as part of its plans to grow in the most sustainable way possible. The application, which has been lodged, would enable London City to reach its permitted passenger capacity with fewer flight movements, stimulating economic growth while maintaining operational efficiency. 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.

In August 2024, the 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. This included no increase to the permitted number of annual flights and no new infrastructure.

The airport sees the possible introduction of the A320neo as key to building its leisure offering. The aircraft is able to carry over 180 passengers depending on the preferred seat configuration and can travel over 1,000km, covering parts of mainland Europe.

The 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 (with the glide scope being 5.5% – still a much steeper descent than the 3% glide scope typically used at normal airports).

Aircraft types currently used

The largest aircraft the airport sees these days are the Airbus A220-100, as well the Embraer EJet (170/175/190/195/E2-190/E2-E195) family. The airport also sees the ATR72, ATR42, Embraer E-135/145, Fokker 50 and 70, De Havilland Dash8-Q400 Doriner 328JET.

In the past, the largest aircraft to use London City Airport regularly was the Airbus A318 (operated by British Airways as part of its Club World London City operation, which had 32 business class seats per aircraft installed)

In Quotes

Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport, said:

“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.”

This could be tough

There are more than a few factors at play which could put a stop to this. London City Airport’s runway is short at 1,500 meters. Considering that that could put a limit on range, as well as payload (with an A320neo able to hold 180 passengers or so), it’s going to take more than a little bit of route development to ensure the payload to range equation adds up.

The bigger issue will be environmental.

Considering London City’s Airport position in London, it has strict hours that the airport can operate, as well as noise regulations.

It will take a lot to convince the local residents and the council that putting larger aircraft on routes into London City Airport is a good idea, considering they have attempted to block changes in the airport’s operations or have forced back some expansions in the past.

With aircraft having to divert when conditions are not suitable for operation too, it’s a lot more work to move 180 passengers, rather than 90 to 100 at a time.

Whilst this is one to watch, it’s going to be interesting to see if the regulator green-lights this, and which airlines can take advantage of this, given the constraints at the airport.