London City Airport seeks approval for Airbus A320neo operations to boost sustainable growth

Credit: London City Airport

London City Airport (LCY) has applied to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to enable the Airbus A320neo to operate at the airport. The move aligns with LCY’s commitment to introducing cleaner, quieter aircraft to support sustainable growth. The application would allow the airport to reach its permitted passenger capacity with fewer flight movements, boosting economic growth while maintaining efficiency.

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 re-fleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft.”

Details of City Airport’s application

If approved, the A320neo’s introduction would open new route opportunities for passengers and incentivise airlines to modernise their fleets with more fuel-efficient, quieter aircraft. This supports the airport’s goal of growing sustainably while enhancing its leisure offerings. The A320neo, capable of carrying over 180 passengers and travelling over 1,000km, would expand connections across mainland Europe.

In August 2024, the Government approved LCY’s plans to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to 9 million by 2031, with no increase in annual flights or new infrastructure. The A320neo plays a vital role in achieving these targets.

LCY’s application specifically seeks approval for a new flight procedure (RNP AR), which would adjust the aircraft’s approach angle at both runway ends. This change is critical to allowing the A320neo’s operations while adhering to the airport’s steep approach requirements.

Details on the CAA’s Airspace Change Process (CAP 1616) can be found here.