London City Airport#Current expansion

The airport was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, who was Chief Executive of the newly formed London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) that was responsible for the regeneration of the area. He in turn discussed the proposal with chairman of John Mowlem & Co Sir Philip Beck and the idea of an airport for Docklands was born. By November of that year Mowlem and Bill Bryce of Brymon Airways had submitted an outline proposal to the LDDC for a Docklands STOLport city centre gateway.{{cite web | url = http://www.lcacc.org/history/ | title = Airport History | publisher = London City Airport Consultative Committee | access-date = 2 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120212085802/http://www.lcacc.org/history/ | archive-date = 12 February 2012 | url-status = dead }}

File:Heron Quays plaque.jpg in 1982]]

On 27 June 1982 Brymon's Captain Harry Gee landed a de Havilland Canada Dash 7 turboprop aircraft on Heron Quays, in the nearby West India Docks, in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the STOLport project. Later that year the LDDC published a feasibility study, an opinion poll amongst local residents showed a majority in favour of the development of the airport, and Mowlem submitted an application for planning permission.

A 63-day planning inquiry started on 6 June 1983. By the middle of the following year, Nicholas Ridley the Secretary of State for Transport had indicated that he was "disposed to agree the application", but asked for further details. The Greater London Council brought an action in the High Court of Justice to reopen the inquiry. After the High Court dismissed the action in March 1985, outline planning permission was granted in May of that year, followed by the grant of detailed planning permission in early 1986. The airport site had an initial footprint of {{convert|92|acre|order=flip}} in area.{{cite news |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460 |title=Traffic jams today, transport tomorrow |url=https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1986UKEnglish/Nov%2018%201986%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2362618%2C%20UK%20%28en%29/page/n19 |publication-date=18 November 1986 |page=20 |department=Focus: London Docklands: A special report |first=Anne |last=Warden |number=62618 |publication-place=London, England, UK}}

Construction began on the site shortly after permission was granted, with Charles, Prince of Wales laying the foundation stone of the terminal building, designed by R Seifert and Partners, on 2 May 1986. The first aircraft landed on 31 May 1987, with the first commercial services operating from 26 October 1987. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened London City Airport in November of the same year.

In 1988, the first full year of operation, the airport handled 133,000 passengers. The earliest scheduled flights were operated to and from Plymouth, Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. With a runway of only {{convert|1080|m|abbr=on|0}} in length, and a slope of the glidepath of 7.5° (for noise abatement reasons), the airport could only be used by a very limited number of aircraft types, principally the Dash 7 and the smaller Dornier 228. In 1989, the airport submitted a planning application to extend the runway, allowing the use of a larger number of aircraft types.{{cite web | url = http://www.lcacc.org/history/construction.html | title = Constructing the Airport | publisher = London City Airport Consultative Committee | access-date = 2 January 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071028183523/http://www.lcacc.org/history/construction.html | archive-date = 28 October 2007 | df = dmy-all }}

In 1990, the airport handled 230,000 passengers, but the figures fell drastically after the Gulf War and did not recover until 1993, when 245,000 passengers were carried. By this time the extended runway had been approved and opened (on 5 March 1992). At the same time the glide path was reduced to 5.5°, still steep for a European airport (the slope of an airport glide path is normally 3.0°), but sufficient to allow a larger range of aircraft, including the BAe 146 regional jet liner and Airbus A318, to serve the airport.

By 1995, passenger numbers reached half a million, and Mowlem sold the airport to Irish businessman Dermot Desmond. Five years later passenger numbers had climbed to 1,580,000, and over 30,000 flights were operated. In 2002, a jet centre catering to corporate aviation was opened, as well as additional aircraft stands at the western end of the apron. In 2003, a new ground holding point was established at the eastern end of the runway, enabling aircraft awaiting takeoff to hold there whilst other aircraft landed.

File:DHC-7 G-BOAY London City Aws LCY 31.10.88 edited-2.jpg making its steep approach to LCY from the west as a London City Airways DHC-7 prepares to depart to Amsterdam (1988)]]

On 2 December 2005, London City Airport DLR station opened on a branch of the Docklands Light Railway, providing rail access to the airport for the first time, and providing fast rail links to Canary Wharf and the City of London. By 2006, more than 2.3 million passengers used London City Airport.

In October 2006, the airport was purchased from Dermot Desmond by a consortium comprising insurer AIG Financial Products and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). In the final quarter of 2008 GIP increased its stake in the airport to 75%, the remaining 25% belonging to Highstar Capital.{{cite web|url=http://www.londoncityairport.com/AboutUs/CorporateInformation.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822185411/http://www.londoncityairport.com/AboutUs/CorporateInformation.aspx|url-status=dead|title=London City Airport: Corporate Information|archivedate=22 August 2010}}

London City Airport was granted planning permission to construct an extended apron with four additional aircraft parking stands and four new gates to the east of the terminal in 2001; they became operational on 30 May 2008. They are carried on piles above the water of the King George V Dock.{{cite web | url = http://www.londoncityairport.com/masterplan/MasterPlan.pdf | title = London City Airport Master Plan | page = 13 | publisher=London City Airport | date = November 2006 | access-date = 2 January 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227111950/http://www.londoncityairport.com/masterplan/MasterPlan.pdf | archive-date=27 February 2008 }}

British Airways commenced the first scheduled transatlantic flights from the airport in September 2009, with a twice a day service to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport via Shannon using a specially configured Airbus A318 aircraft. The A318 is the smallest airliner to operate transatlantic since BA's corporate predecessor, BOAC, began transatlantic jet flights on 4 October 1958, with the De Havilland Comet 4.

The first day of the service, one week after Willie Walsh of British Airways pledged to the United Nations that aviation would deliver deep cuts in carbon emissions, was disrupted by activists from Plane Stupid and Fight the Flights dressed up in business suits.{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/05/27/327035/ba-aims-to-launch-london-city-jfk-a318-service-in-oct.html |title=BA aims to launch London City–JFK A318 service in Oct |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date=27 May 2009 |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601122609/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/05/27/327035/ba-aims-to-launch-london-city-jfk-a318-service-in-oct.html |archive-date=1 June 2009 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news | title = Can 'son of Concorde' succeed? | work = The Independent | location = UK | date = 26 September 2009 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/can-son-of-concorde-succeed-1793140.html | access-date = 26 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090929081138/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/can-son-of-concorde-succeed-1793140.html | archive-date = 29 September 2009 | url-status = live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250334/green-groups-slam-business|title=Green groups slam BA over new business class-only flights|work=The Guardian|date=29 September 2009 |access-date=22 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025075927/http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250334/green-groups-slam-business|archive-date=25 October 2009|url-status=live}}

File:London City Airport Terminal outside.jpg

File:London_City_Airport_Terminal.jpg

File:Various_aircraft_at_LCY_2011.jpg

Before the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, it was reported that over £7 million (in 2011) was invested in the terminal to extend the Central Search area and adding other improvements.{{cite web |url=http://www.candm.co.uk/cm/content/news/london_city_airport_expects_olympic_boost |title=London City Airport expects Olympics boost |work=Candm.co.uk |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110090215/http://www.candm.co.uk/cm/content/news/london_city_airport_expects_olympic_boost |archive-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=live }} During the Games, however, the airport was only open for a few hours and there were strict restrictions (for security), and the low capacity ramp and short runway excluded most long-range arrivals. However, it was the closest airport to Olympic Park, with normal scheduled travel by road of 15 minutes.{{cite web |author=Jason Hayward |url=http://www.universalweather.com/blog/2012/01/6-important-tips-for-successful-2012-london-olympic-games-planning/ |title=6 Important Tips for Successful 2012 London Olympic Games Planning |work=Universalweather.com |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110084900/http://www.universalweather.com/blog/2012/01/6-important-tips-for-successful-2012-london-olympic-games-planning/ |archive-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=live }}

In early 2013, work was expected to start on a £15 million investment programme to refurbish the western pier with new departure gates and improved lounges and to redevelop the international arrivals hall and baggage handling areas.{{Citation | title = London City Airport | journal = Airliner World | page = 7 | date = February 2013}} In response to the UK government white paper The Future of Air Transport, the airport operators have produced a master plan outlining their vision for growth up to 2030. The plan was subject to public consultation during spring 2006, and has been republished incorporating comments from this consultation. The master plan shows a phased expansion of the airport, giving the capability of handling 8 million passengers per annum by 2030. It does not propose the addition of a second runway, or significant expansion of the airport boundaries.{{cite web | url = http://www.londoncityairport.com/index.php?mode=pages&action=masterplan | title = London City Airport Master Plan | publisher = London City Airport | access-date = 2 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313075541/http://www.londoncityairport.com/AboutAndCorporate/page/AirportMasterPlan | archive-date = 13 March 2012 | url-status = dead }} Phase 1 of this development would be undertaken by 2015. It would include the in-progress construction of the eastern apron extension and provision of a finger pier to the south of this apron to provide passenger access to aircraft using the new parking stands. The terminal building would also be extended to use the triangle of land between it and the railway station. The existing jet centre serving corporate aviation would be extended, a new hangar built to allow aircraft maintenance, and a replacement fire station provided.{{cite web | url = http://www.londoncityairport.com/masterplan/MasterPlan.pdf | title = London City Airport Master Plan | pages = 24–26 | publisher=London City Airport | date = November 2006 | access-date = 2 January 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227111950/http://www.londoncityairport.com/masterplan/MasterPlan.pdf | archive-date=27 February 2008 }}

Phases 2 and 3 would be undertaken between 2015 and 2030. Further aircraft parking stands would be built to the east of the terminal, and a taxiway would be constructed alongside and to the south of the runway, to avoid the need for aircraft to back-track on the runway. Both these developments would involve further reduction in the water area of the King George V Dock. The existing fuel farm would be relocated to a site at the east of the airport, where it could be supplied by barge, and linked to a hydrant based supply system, thus eliminating both road tanker deliveries and on-airport fuel bowser movements. The existing surface car park would be replaced by a multi-storey car park, allowing extension of the vehicle drop-off and pick up area. The jet centre and hangar facilities would be further extended. Finally the existing terminal building would be replaced.

In line with phase 1 of the master plan, London City Airport made a planning application to the London Borough of Newham in August 2007. This would allow it to increase the number of flights per year from 80,000 to 120,000 by 2010.{{cite web | url = http://www.londoncityairport.com/index.php?mode=pages&action=PlanningApplication | title = London City Airport Planning Application | publisher = London City Airport | access-date = 2 January 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080102231247/http://www.londoncityairport.com/index.php?mode=pages&action=PlanningApplication | archive-date = 2 January 2008 | df = dmy-all }} In July 2008, the Planning Officer for Newham Council produced a report on the Planning Application, recommending that planning permission be granted.{{cite web | url = http://mgov.newham.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.asp?ID=18021&J=1 |title = Planning Officer's report on Planning Application | publisher=London Borough of Newham | access-date = 2 July 2008}} The decision was deferred by the council's Development Control Committee at their meeting on 30 July 2008, following a request from Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, that the decision be delayed until after a study by the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has been published.{{Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7533193.stm | title = City flights decision is delayed | publisher=BBC | access-date = 12 August 2008 | date=30 July 2008}}

Over 10,000 local residents were consulted by Newham Council over the plan of which 1,109 replied, 801 with objections and 308 in support. The 801 objections mainly concerned increase in noise, increase in air pollution, surface transport, socio-economics and regeneration. The 308 supporters mainly concerned the reduction of air pollution, an alternative London and 2012 Olympic gateway, additional jobs, and benefiting to the local economy. The residents campaign group HACAN East (formerly Fight the Flights) is opposed to expansion due to noise and pollution issues.

On 29 September 2009, Fight the Flights took Newham Council to court in order to challenge their decision to allow a 50% increase from 76,000 to 120,000 flights.{{Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8280601.stm | title = Council sued on City flights rise| publisher=BBC | access-date = 29 September 2009 | date=29 September 2009}} On 20 January 2010, the challenge was dismissed, and a deadline of 14 days to appeal was set.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12238685 | work=BBC News | title=Residents lose City Airport flights court battle | date=20 January 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113224302/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12238685 | archive-date=13 November 2018 | url-status=live }} The plan was given the go-ahead in February 2015.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31199659 | work=BBC News | title=Plan agreed for London City Airport despite objections | date=7 February 2015 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114150750/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31199659 | archive-date=14 November 2018 | url-status=live }} However this was overturned by Boris Johnson in March 2015.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32078526 | work=BBC News | title=London City Airport: Mayor rejects expansion plan | date=27 March 2015 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113224246/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32078526 | archive-date=13 November 2018 | url-status=live }} On 27 July 2016 London City Airport was given approval by authorities for their £344 million expansion plan.{{Cite news|last=Tovey|first=Alan|date=2020-08-13|title=London City airport puts expansion on hold|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/08/13/london-city-airport-puts-expansion-hold/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/08/13/london-city-airport-puts-expansion-hold/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2020-08-13|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}

In October 2015, Global Infrastructure Partners which owned 75% of the facility, put it up for sale, with the agreement of Oaktree Capital Management which holds the remaining 25%.{{cite journal|title=City Airport on the Market|journal=Airliner World|date=October 2015|page=6}} A sale to a Canadian-led consortium of Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), OMERS, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Wren House Infrastructure Management of the Kuwait Investment Authority for £2 billion was confirmed in February 2016. The sale was completed on 10 March 2016.{{cite web|title=Global Infrastructure Partners Announces The Sale of London City Airport|url=http://www.global-infra.com/documents/20160226.pdf|publisher=Global Infrastructure Partners|access-date=26 February 2016|date=26 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301174023/http://www.global-infra.com/documents/20160226.pdf|archive-date=1 March 2016|url-status=live}}

In September 2016, British Airways announced the termination of one of its two daily long-haul all-business class services from the airport to New York City, citing economic reasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2016/08/31/british-airways-cancels-one-london-city-new-york-business-class-services/ |title=British Airways cancels one of its London City to New York all-business class services |work=Businesstraveller.com |date=31 August 2016 |access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183858/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2016/08/31/british-airways-cancels-one-london-city-new-york-business-class-services/ |archive-date=14 January 2018 |url-status=live }}

Green Party candidate for the 2016 London mayoral election and member of the London Assembly Siân Berry has been vocal in calling for the closure of London City Airport and subsequent redevelopment of the area it occupies.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Caroline Russell, the leader of the Green Party on the London Assembly and Scott Ainslie, former Green MEP for London and councillor on Lambeth Council have both called for its closure.{{cite news |url= https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases/assembly/caroline-russell/london-no-place-for-expanded-city-airport |date= 9 July 2018 |title= News from Caroline Russell: London no place for expanded City Airport |agency= Greater London Authority |archive-date= 3 November 2021 |access-date= 9 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211103061342/https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/assembly/caroline-russell/london-no-place-for-expanded-city-airport |url-status= live }}

In March 2020, British Airways suspended its daily service to New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2020, the airline confirmed the service would not return.{{cite web |title=British Airways confirms end of all business class LCY-JFK service |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/08/03/british-airways-confirms-end-of-all-business-class-lcy-jfk-service/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Business Traveller |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421125053/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/08/03/british-airways-confirms-end-of-all-business-class-lcy-jfk-service/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2020 the new parallel taxiway and eight additional aircraft parking stands were declared operational, these were delivered as part of the first phase of the City Airport Development Programme (CADP).{{Cite web |title=London City Airport releases update on its development programme |url=https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/124064/london-city-airport-update-development-programme/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=International Airport Review |language=en}} Both the new stands and the parallel taxiway were constructed on a concrete deck mounted on piles driven in to the bed of the King George V Dock.{{Cite web |title=London City airport |url=https://vgcgroup.co.uk/case-studies/london-city-airport/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=VGC Group |language=en-GB}}

In January 2021, after a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport became the first major airport controlled by a remote air traffic control tower.{{cite web|date=2021-04-30|title=London City Becomes First Major Airport Controlled by Remote Digital Tower - Travel Radar|url=https://travelradar.aero/london-city-becomes-first-major-airport-controlled-by-remote-digital-tower/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Travel Radar - Aviation News|language=en-US|archive-date=21 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821150826/https://travelradar.aero/london-city-becomes-first-major-airport-controlled-by-remote-digital-tower/|url-status=live}} The airport had previously decided to relocate the control tower to a site {{convert|80|miles}} away at Swanwick, Hampshire, utilising three cable links providing live video to air traffic controllers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39960993 |title=London City first UK airport to get remote digital air traffic control |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822143546/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39960993 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |url-status=live }}

In April 2023, London City became the first major UK airport to drop its 100-millilitre liquid rule. Passengers travelling through London City are now able to carry liquids of up to 2 litres in their carry-on luggage for the first time since the liquid rule was implemented in the UK in 2006.{{Cite web |title=London City Airport Becomes First Major UK Airport to Drop Liquid Carry-on Rule |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/London-City-Airport-Becomes-First-Major-UK-Airport-to-Drop-Liquid-Carry-on-Rule |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.travelmarketreport.com |date=5 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202085012/https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/London-City-Airport-Becomes-First-Major-UK-Airport-to-Drop-Liquid-Carry-on-Rule |url-status=live }}

In July 2023 the revised operating distances for the runway became operational following the introduction of Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS) in the Runway Safety Areas at each end of the runway.{{Cite news |last=Amy |date=2022-10-17 |title=blu-3 secures landmark aviation contract for London City Airport - Premier Construction News |url=https://premierconstructionnews.com/2022/10/17/blu-3-secures-landmark-aviation-contract-for-london-city-airport/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221017100559/https://premierconstructionnews.com/2022/10/17/blu-3-secures-landmark-aviation-contract-for-london-city-airport/ |archive-date=2022-10-17 |access-date=2025-01-27 |work=Premier Construction News |language=en-GB}}

Plans were approved to increase the passenger cap at London City Airport from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers with the number of morning flights increasing between 06:00 to 09:00.{{Cite web |title=London City Airport passenger cap to rise from 6.5 to 9m |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyw80v45jeo |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}

File:BACF departure London city Airport.JPG visible in the background]]

File:BA_City_Flyer_Embraer_&_Swiss_Avro_RJ_85_(16476127425).jpg dome in the distance]]

Owing to London City Airport's proximity to London's Docklands and financial district, the airport's primary users are business travellers with destinations such as Luxembourg and Frankfurt, although the number of leisure destinations served like Palma de Mallorca, Málaga or Chambéry has increased in recent years. London City is at its busiest during the winter months, when a number of airlines, most notably British Airways and Swiss International Air Lines, fly to ski resort gateway destinations. Zürich, Geneva, and Milan are among the destinations popular among winter sports enthusiasts.{{cite web |url=http://www.flightsnetwork.co.uk/London-City-Airport-18564834.html |title=History of London City Airport |publisher=Flightsnetwork.co.uk |access-date=7 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218135932/http://www.flightsnetwork.co.uk/London-City-Airport-18564834.html |archive-date=18 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

In July 2020, British Airways announced the termination of its all-business-class flights between City and New York-JFK, which had been operated since 2009.[https://www.aero.de/news/British-Airways-mustert-letzte-A318-aus.html aero.de] (German) 31 July 2020

Due to the airport's proximity to Central London, it has stringent rules imposed to limit the noise impact from aircraft operations. This, together with the physical dimensions of the {{convert|1508|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} runway and the steep glideslope, limits the aircraft types that can use London City Airport. The size and layout of the airport and overall complexity caused by the lack of taxiways mean that the airport gets very busy during peak hours. The air traffic controllers have to deal with over 38 flights per hour on a runway which, prior to the opening of the full length taxiway at the end of 2020, required a lengthy backtrack for each aircraft needing to depart from runway 27 or land on runway 09. Operations are restricted to 06:30 to 22:30 Monday to Friday, 06:30 to 13:00 on Saturdays and 12:30 to 22:30 on Sundays. These restrictions are related to noise. On 19 December 2022, the airport applied for the restriction on Saturday afternoon to be removed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/airports/london-city-lcy/london-city-airport-requests-authorisation-of-saturday-flights-and-increase-of-passenger-cap/|title=London City Airport requests authorisation of Saturday flights and increase of passenger cap|first=André|last=Orban|date=23 December 2022|access-date=23 December 2022|archive-date=23 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223154550/https://www.aviation24.be/airports/london-city-lcy/london-city-airport-requests-authorisation-of-saturday-flights-and-increase-of-passenger-cap/|url-status=live}} This application was rejected by Newham Council on 10 July 2023, citing "continued concerns over the noise and environmental impact of the airport on those living nearby."{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Airport's bid to extend flying times is rejected |url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/23646518.london-city-airport-extended-hours-proposal-rejected/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Newham Recorder |language=en}}

Mid-range airliners seen at London City include the ATR 42 (both −300 and −500 variants), ATR 72, Airbus A318, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, BAe 146/Avro RJ, Dornier 328, Embraer ERJ 135, Embraer 170,{{cite web | url = http://www.aviationtoday.com/regions/sa/13296.html | title = ERJ 170 Approved for LCY | publisher = Aviation Today | date = 22 June 2007 | access-date = 3 January 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080305035201/http://www.aviationtoday.com/regions/sa/13296.html | archive-date = 5 March 2008 | df = dmy-all }} Embraer 190 and Fokker 50. On 30 January 2009, trials were completed successfully with the ATR 72–500, leading to its approval for use at the airport.{{cite web | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322337/authorities-clear-atr-72-for-london-city-operations.html | title = Authorities clear ATR 72 for London City operations | first = David | last = Kaminski-Morrow | date = 10 February 2009 | work = Flightglobal | access-date = 15 April 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214215838/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322337/authorities-clear-atr-72-for-london-city-operations.html | archive-date = 14 February 2009 | url-status = live }} The Embraer 190SR underwent trials from 28 March 2009, and thereafter gained approval. The Fokker 70, BAe Jetstream 41, Saab 340 and Saab 2000 also have approval for scheduled operations at the airport. A number of airlines including Swiss and Odyssey have ordered the Airbus A220 with the intention of operating it from London City once delivered and approved. A220-100 operations for Swiss from City commenced in late 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bombardier-appears-to-name-odyssey-as-cseries-customer-386570/|title=Bombardier appears to name Odyssey as CSeries customer|author=Ghim-Lay Yeo|publisher=Flightglobal|date=2 June 2013|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625231326/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bombardier-appears-to-name-odyssey-as-cseries-customer-386570/|archive-date=25 June 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-odyssey-confirmed-as-cseries-customer-387223/|title=Odyssey confirmed as CSeries customer|author=Ghim-Lay Yeo|publisher=Flightglobal|date=17 June 2013|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427104849/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-odyssey-confirmed-as-cseries-customer-387223/|archive-date=27 April 2014|url-status=live}}

On 22–23 March 2017, the A220-100 completed tests for the 5.5-degree approach in Wichita and Salina, Kansas.{{Cite news|url=http://www.airlive.net/news-bombardier-cs100-completed-test-flights-to-5-5-degree-london-city-approach/|title=Airlive|last=Kraft|first=Melanie|date=28 March 2017|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331184938/http://www.airlive.net/news-bombardier-cs100-completed-test-flights-to-5-5-degree-london-city-approach/|archive-date=31 March 2017|url-status=live}} The A220-100 was certified for the steep approach landing for London City in April 2017. In 2023, Airbus confirmed working on certifying the larger A220-300 for operation at the airport.{{cite news|url=https://aviationweek.com/shownews/dubai-airshow/airbaltic-orders-30-a220-300s-airbus-works-lcy-certification|title=Air Baltic orders 30 A220-300 as Airbus works on LCY certification|first=Christine|last=Boynton|access-date=18 November 2023|archive-date=15 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115065940/https://aviationweek.com/shownews/dubai-airshow/airbaltic-orders-30-a220-300s-airbus-works-lcy-certification|url-status=live}} Corporate aircraft such as the Beechcraft Super King Air, Cessna CitationJet series, Hawker 400, Hawker 800, Piaggio Avanti and variants of the Dassault Falcon business jets are increasingly common. The airport is not available for use by single-engine aircraft or helicopters; recreational flights and single-pilot operations are also not permitted.{{cite web |url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D92%26Itemid%3D141.html |title=The UK Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP) – London/City (EGLC) |publisher=Nats-uk.ead-it.com |access-date=29 August 2013 |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527005459/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D92%26Itemid%3D141.html |url-status=dead }} In 2025, the airport authority applied for approval of the significantly larger Airbus A320neo to be operated into the airport.[https://www.londoncityairport.com/media-centre/press-releases/london-city-airport-submits-application-to-accommodate-the-a320neo londoncityairport.com - London City Airport submits application to accommodate the A320neo] 27 January 2025

The size of the airport, constrained by the water-filled Royal Albert and King George V docks to the north and south respectively, also means that there are no covered maintenance facilities for aircraft. In the late 2000s, AirSea Lines envisaged using the airport as a seaplane base.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549320/Seaplanes-to-fly-once-more.html |title=Seaplanes to fly once more |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709095606/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1549320/Seaplanes-to-fly-once-more.html |archive-date=9 July 2019 |url-status=live }}

With space limited in East London, and comparatively low passenger volumes, London City Airport is small compared with several other airports serving London, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southend and Luton. The airport has a single, two-storey passenger terminal building with 18 gates, all hardstands. The ground floor contains the check-in desks and some service facilities as well as a staircase leading to the security control on the upper level, after which the airside waiting area and several more shops can be found.{{cite web|url=http://www.london-city-airport-guide.co.uk/terminal-map.html|title=Terminal Map|website=www.london-city-airport-guide.co.uk|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524174134/http://www.london-city-airport-guide.co.uk/terminal-map.html|archive-date=24 May 2015|url-status=live}} The waiting area is connected to piers on both sides where corridors on the upper floor lead to the departure gates on the ground level. As the airport has no jet bridges, walk-boarding is used on all stands.

The following airlines operate regular services to and from London City Airport:[https://www.londoncityairport.com/flight-info/destinations londoncityairport.com - Destinations] retrieved 26 March 2025

{{Airport destination list

| Aurigny | Guernsey{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-68360543 | title=Flights to London City relaunched by Aurigny | work=BBC News | date=22 February 2024 | archive-date=7 March 2024 | access-date=7 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307232604/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-68360543 | url-status=live }}

| British Airways | Amsterdam,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221226-cjns23|title=BA CityFlyer NS23 Network Adjustment – 25DEC22|website=Aeroroutes.com|publisher=Aeroroutes|accessdate=1 November 2024}} Barcelona, Belfast–City, Berlin, Dublin, Edinburgh, Florence, Frankfurt, Glasgow,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220704-bajul22lon|title=British Airways July 2022 London Intra-Europe Service Update - 03JUL22|website=Aeroroutes.com|publisher=Aeroroutes|accessdate=1 November 2024}} Ibiza, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Rotterdam/The Hague, Zürich
Seasonal: Bergerac, Chambéry,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240626-banw24lgwcmf|title=BA CityFlyer Adds London Gatwick – Chambery in NW24|website=Aeroroutes|accessdate=31 October 2024|archive-date=7 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007140022/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240626-banw24lgwcmf|url-status=live}} Faro,{{cn|date=April 2025}} Geneva,{{cn|date=April 2025}} Milan–Linate,{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231030-uknw23 | title=UK NW23 Network Additions/Removals Summary – 29OCT23 | access-date=3 September 2024 | archive-date=3 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903231643/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231030-uknw23 | url-status=live }} Nice, Olbia,{{cite web |title=British Airways Expands Italy Network in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241128-bans25it |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=28 November 2024}} Prague,{{cn|date=April 2025}} San Sebastián,{{cn|date=April 2025}} Skiathos, Split, Thessaloniki

| ITA Airways | Milan–Linate,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241030-aznw24eu|title=ITA Airways NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 October 2024|accessdate=29 December 2024|language=en-CA|archive-date=29 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229195543/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241030-aznw24eu|url-status=live}} Rome–Fiumicino{{cite web | url=https://italiavola.com/2023/12/11/ita-airways-aprira-londra-city-non-stop-anche-da-roma/ | title=ITA Airways aprira' Londra City non stop anche da Roma | date=11 December 2023 | access-date=12 December 2023 | archive-date=12 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212191810/https://italiavola.com/2023/12/11/ita-airways-aprira-londra-city-non-stop-anche-da-roma/ | url-status=live }}

| KLM | Amsterdam{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240122-klns24eu|title=KLM NS24 European Service Changes – 21JAN24|website=Aeroroutes|access-date=26 October 2024|archive-date=4 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204045513/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240122-klns24eu|url-status=live}}

| Loganair | Isle of Man{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220427-lmiom|title=Loganair Restores Isle of Man – London Link in April 2022|website=Aeroroutes.com|accessdate=2 November 2024|language=en-CA|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615175507/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220427-lmiom|url-status=live}}

| LOT Polish Airlines | Vilnius[https://onemileatatime.com/lot-polish-london-vilnius/ onemileatatime.com - Interesting: LOT Polish Will Operate London To Vilnius Flights For The Lithuanian Government] 7 December 2018{{better source needed|date=April 2025}}

| Lufthansa | Frankfurt{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240816-enlhcodeshare | title=Air Dolomiti Expands Lufthansa Codeshare in NW24 | access-date=16 August 2024 | archive-date=16 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816115452/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240816-enlhcodeshare | url-status=live }}

| Luxair | Luxembourg{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Luxembourg|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=602-603}}

| {{nowrap|Swiss International Air Lines}} | Zürich{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241030-lxnw24eu|title=SWISS NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24|website=Aeroroutes|accessdate=30 October 2024|archive-date=10 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110181306/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241030-lxnw24eu|url-status=live}}
Seasonal: Geneva{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Geneva|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=385-390}}

}}

Passenger numbers at London City Airport saw rapid growth between 2003 and 2008, doubling from around 1.5 million per year to over 3 million. Totals declined in 2009 and 2010, but have since recovered and in 2019 over 5.1 million passengers passed through London City. In 2020, passenger numbers sharply dropped to below 1 million annually during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

File:City Airport station.jpg

London City Airport is served by London City Airport DLR station, which is an elevated station adjoining the terminal building. The station is on a branch of the Docklands Light Railway, which links the airport to Canary Wharf and the City of London as well as to {{rws|Stratford International}} and {{rws|Woolwich Arsenal}} stations with interchanges to London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, Greater Anglia, c2c, Thameslink and Southeastern High Speed train services.{{cite book |last1=Simons |first1=Graham |last2=Bowman |first2=Martin W. |title=London's Airports |date=2011 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=9781848843943 |page=132 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1tfyT-VMEnsC&q=London%20City%20Airport%20DLR%20station&pg=PA132 |access-date=19 September 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094340/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1tfyT-VMEnsC&lpg=PA132&dq=London%20City%20Airport%20DLR%20station&pg=PA132 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |url-status=live }}

File:London City Airport DLR and Crossrail.png

Until 2006, Silvertown railway station on the North London line served the airport, but it was closed during the construction of Crossrail. The Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022,{{cite web |title=Phased Opening |url=http://www.crossrail.co.uk/project/our-plan-to-complete-the-elizabeth-line/phased-opening |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524195303/https://www.crossrail.co.uk/project/our-plan-to-complete-the-elizabeth-line/phased-opening |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=Crossrail |language=en |url-status=dead }} passes around 300 m to the south of the airport,{{cite magazine |last=Smale |first=Katherine |date=2019-05-21 |title=London City Airport in talks with TfL about Crossrail station |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/london-city-airport-in-talks-with-tfl-about-crossrail-station-21-05-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524205322/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/london-city-airport-in-talks-with-tfl-about-crossrail-station-21-05-2019/ |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-24 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}} but does not stop there. Proposals were put forward that a new station should be opened on the Elizabeth line to serve the airport, but a London City Airport station was not included in TfL's Crossrail plans.{{cite web|url=https://www.londoncityairport.com/content/pdf/TransformingEastLondon.pdf|title=Transforming East London Together 2013–2023|publisher=London City Airport|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126220257/https://www.londoncityairport.com/content/pdf/TransformingEastLondon.pdf|archive-date=26 January 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |last1=Broadbent |first1=Giles |title=Why is TfL so hostile to a Crossrail station at LCY? |url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/why-is-tfl-so-hostile-to-a-crossrail-station-at-lcy/ |website=The Wharf |publisher=InYourArea.co.uk |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919004833/https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/why-is-tfl-so-hostile-to-a-crossrail-station-at-lcy/ |archive-date=19 September 2018 |date=31 May 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://lcymeansbusiness.com/regeneration |title=Regeneration |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320220929/http://www.lcymeansbusiness.com/regeneration |archive-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=live }}[http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com/assets/library/document/s/original/silvertown_station.pdf Silvertown Station - Crossrail Proposals] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705231549/http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com/assets/library/document/s/original/silvertown_station.pdf |date=5 July 2015 }} - Crossrail Ltd. January 2012

The airport is served by the A1020 road and the A112 road. These give fast links to Canning Town, the City of London and Stratford, as well as connecting to the A13 and the North Circular Road, London (A406). Also the A13 provides easy access to the M25 motorway, as with the A406 connecting to the M11 motorway.

The airport has both a short-term and a long-term car park, both within walking distance of the terminal and a taxi rank outside the terminal door.

The airport is served by London Buses services:{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/stop/490009269A/london-city-airport/|title=Buses from London City Airport|work=Transport for London|access-date=11 April 2025}}

• 129 to Beckton, Gallions Reach, North Greenwich, Greenwich and Lewisham
• 473 to North Woolwich, Plaistow and Stratford
• 474 to Canning Town, Custom House, North Woolwich, Beckton, East Ham and Manor Park

The express shuttle buses, which formerly ran to various destinations, were withdrawn after the DLR line was built.

Thames Clippers services call at a pier at the nearby residential development Royal Wharf, allowing travel into Central London using an Oyster card or contactless smart card.{{cite web |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2019/01/10/work-begins-on-new-riverboat-stop-near-london-city-airport/ |title=Work begins on new riverboat stop near London City Airport |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095035/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2019/01/10/work-begins-on-new-riverboat-stop-near-london-city-airport/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

• On 13 February 2009, BA CityFlyer Flight 8456 (an Avro RJ100, registered G-BXAR, flying from Amsterdam) suffered a nose-gear collapse while landing at London City. None of the 67 passengers or five crew members were seriously injured in the incident, but three passengers suffered minor injuries; two of them were kept in hospital overnight.{{cite web |url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/february_2010/avro_146_rj100__g_bxar.cfm |title=Air Accidents Investigation: Avro 146-RJ100, G-BXAR |work=Aaib.gov.uk |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408091513/http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/february_2010/avro_146_rj100__g_bxar.cfm |archive-date=8 April 2015 |url-status=live }} The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair, and was written off by insurers in May 2009.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8067315.stm|title=BA jobs go after plane write-off|work=BBC News|date=25 May 2009|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901204210/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8067315.stm|archive-date=1 September 2017|url-status=live}}
• On 21 October 2016, 27 people were injured, two of them seriously, when a tear gas substance was released in London City Airport. Hundreds of other passengers reported experiencing temporary blindness and itching. Many flights were cancelled, leaving thousands stranded and causing major disruption around Europe. A few days later, police arrested a suspect under "terror offences" and the media referred to the incident as a terror attack. Police later confirmed that tear gas bottles had deliberately been placed to "cause harm or disruption". Security was increased at the airport in the days following the attack.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/london-city-airport-evacuation-terrorist-attack-suspect-police-chemical-attack-a7377941.html|title=Chemical attack at London City Airport 'was terror incident'|date=24 October 2016|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=18 December 2016|archive-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108051713/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/london-city-airport-evacuation-terrorist-attack-suspect-police-chemical-attack-a7377941.html|url-status=live}}

• List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies
• Airports of London

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category inline}}

• {{Official website}}

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{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}

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City Airport

Category:Airports in England

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Newham

Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Newham

Category:1987 establishments in England