London City Airport plans for larger aircraft and increased capacity – to local criticism

London City Airport already has consent to increase the number of flights per year to 120,000. The airport is now planning to submit a planning application to Newham Council in spring 2013 to allow “major infrastructure changes” (not including a runway extension) that could allow the airport larger planes.  It wants to be able to handle aircraft the size of the Bombardier C-Series,  [110 to 130 seats]  so it can have flights to medium haul destinations like the Middle East and the east coast of the US by 2016. The plans are apparently “in their early stages, with the airport set to consult with local residents in the coming weeks.” The airport, which currently handles around 3.2 million passengers a year, and some 73,000 flights. It has ambitions to increase capacity to 10 million travellers and 120,00 flights annually. The airport announced separate plans for €19 million investment on buildings, gates etc last month, with work starting in early 2013.



 

LONDON CITY AIRPORT ‘PLANS TO FLY MEDIUM HAUL’ WITH BOMBARDIER C-SERIES

14.12.2012 (Airport World)

London City Airport 'plans to fly medium haul' with Bombardier C-Series

Planned changes to London City Airport (LCY) will allow it to handle aircraft the size of the Bombardier C-Series,  [110 to 130 seats]  putting the city centre airport within range of the Middle East and the east coast of the US.

Major infrastructure changes would mean LCY could boast routes to medium-haul destinations from 2016.

The proposals are in their early stages, with the airport set to consult with local residents in the coming weeks.

The airport, which currently handles around 3.2 million passengers a year, has ambitions to increase capacity to 10 million travellers annually.

The City Airport Development Programme (CADP) aims to “prepare LCY for the future” and will help safeguard thousands of jobs, the airport said.

Crucially, the changes will not see any new runway or an extension to the existing runway.

The airport intends to submit a planning application in Spring 2013. LCY currently handles 70,000 flights per year, but this could increase to 120,000.

If the application is approved then the changes will be brought about in 2016. LCY said it had not put a cost on the project as yet.

The airport announced a separate €19 million investment last month.

Plans include the refurbishment of the Western Pier, with new departure gates and improved lounge facilities, re-development of the International Arrivals Hall and enhancements to baggage handling zones. Work will begin in early 2013.

http://www.airport-world.com/news-articles/item/2151-london-city-airport-plans-to-fly-medium-haul-with-bombardier-c-series?_tmc=xtUJHKgkub0DQr_5Ujej348tv3H_7bxTic_QlvxfKNc

 

The Bombardier CSeries is a family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet airliners that are being developed by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace. Models are the 110-seat CS100, and the 130-seat CS300.

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London City Airport expansion plans take off in cloud of criticism

East London Advertiser)

Mike Brooke 

A £15 million expansion programme announced by London City Airport to mark its 25th anniversary has been criticised by campaigners over the increasing number of flights—double the restrictions imposed when it first opened.

Airport bosses celebrated a-quarter-of-a-century in expanding business yesterday with plans announced for more flights, new departure gates and passenger lounge facilities, including upgrading the International Arrivals hall.

The work is expected to take off early in the New Year.

Airport chief executive Declan Collier said yesterday: “The investment means we can absorb some European air traffic from other airports in the South East that are beginning to feel the strain.”

But the expansion year-on-year goes against the original planning when the airport was opened by the Queen on the former quayside in the Royal Docks on November 5, 1987, campaigners stress.

Only four airlines operated from the airport in 1987, with flights to just three destinations—Plymouth, Paris and Brussels.

Today, 25 years on, 10 airlines fly to 42 destinations across the UK and Europe, as well as twice-a-day to New York.

Hacan East, which represents families living under the flight paths across east London, has accused airport bosses of broken promises.

The government inspector at the original airport public inquiry in the 1980s restricted aircraft to quiet turbo-props rather than the jets that campaigners say proliferates today, and flights limited to 30,000 a year, Hacan pointed out.

“The airport has failed the families,” claimed campaign chairman John Stewart. “It’s just not believable that it had any intention of keeping the promises made 25 years ago. We’ve had a-quarter-of-a-century of expansion based on deception.”

   [Map showing location:    Map   indicating how many homes are close to the airport]

City Airport, just three miles from Canary Wharf and six from the City, currently handles 70,000 flights a year—more than double when it opened—with plans to increase to 120,000 flights carrying 10 million passengers.

It also celebrated its millionth flight this year as well as its 36 millionth passenger.

Some 3.2 million passengers are expected this year to pass through the airport, with its 20-minute check-in and 10-minute arrival from tarmac to public transport links.

http://www.hacaneast.org.uk/2012/11/london-city-airport-expansion-plans-take-off-in-cloud-of-criticism/

 

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LONDON CITY AIRPORT’S PLANS FOR LARGER AIRCRAFT AND INCREASED CAPACITY

13.12.2012 (Airport World)
London City CEO Declan Collier with staff from the airport
London City CEO Declan Collier with staff from the airport

London City Airport (LCY) is planning major infrastructure changes to allow larger aircraft to take off and land at the airport.

The City Airport Development Programme (CADP) aims to prepare LCY for the future and the airport is to consult with nearby residents over the next few weeks.

The plan will help safeguard thousands of jobs, the airport said, as well protect the airport’s role as “the international gateway to East London”.

Airport bosses hope the improvements will also act as the catalyst for the on-going regeneration of East London.

Crucially, the changes will not see an increase in flight movements above the level permitted by the London Borough of Newham.

Neither will the proposals mean any new runway nor an extension to the existing runway.

The airport intends to submit a planning application in Spring 2013. LCY currently has permission for 120,000 take-offs and landings per year.

If the application is approved then the changes will be brought about in 2016. LCY said it had not put a cost on the project as yet.

The airport announced a separate €19 million investment last month.

Plans include the refurbishment of the Western Pier, with new departure gates and improved lounge facilities, re-development of the International Arrivals Hall and enhancements to baggage handling zones. Work will begin in early 2013.

The airport currently handles 70,000 flights per year, but this could increase to 120,000, carrying as many as 10 million passengers annually.

Declan Collier, CEO of London City Airport, said: “With the investment we’ve announced and further infrastructure work over the next three years, we can reach our permitted capacity, maintain our high standards and absorb some European air traffic from other airports in the South East that are beginning to feel the strain.”

In 2012, its 25th year of operation, LCY celebrated its millionth flight, welcomed its 36 millionth passenger, hosted an anniversary visit from the Queen and was named best airport of its size by industry peers at the Airport Council International Europe Awards.

The airport was officially opened by the Queen on November 5, 1987. This year, 3.2 million passengers are expected to travel through the airport.

http://www.airport-world.com/news-articles/item/2147-london-city-airports-plans-for-larger-aircraft-and-increased-capacity

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There is more news about London City Airport at London City Airport News

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5 November 2012  (Airport World)

by Steven Thompson

LONDON CITY AIRPORT ANNOUNCES €19 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

London City Airport has announced €19 million of investment on its 25th birthday.

Plans include the refurbishment of the Western Pier, with new departure gates and improved lounge facilities, re-development of the International Arrivals Hall and enhancements to baggage handling zones.  Work will begin in early 2013.

Declan Collier, CEO of London City Airport, said: “With the investment we’ve announced today and further infrastructure work over the next three years, we can reach our permitted capacity, maintain our high standards and absorb some European air traffic from other airports in the South East that are beginning to feel the strain.

“LCY is valued by business travellers for its location, being the closest airport to the City, West End and Canary Wharf, as well as its convenience in terms of access and speed of transit – 20 minute check-in, door to gate and 10 minute arrival, tarmac to train.”

The airport (LCY) currently handles 70,000 flights per year, and has permission to increase numbers to 120,000, carrying as many as 10 million passengers annually.

In 2012, its 25th year of operation, LCY celebrated its millionth flight, welcomed its 36 millionth passenger, hosted an anniversary visit from The Queen and was named best airport of its size by industry peers at the Airport Council International Europe Awards.

London City Airport was officially opened by The Queen on November 5, 1987.

In its first year of operation four airlines offered flights to three destinations – Brussels, Paris and Plymouth.

The airport is currently home to 10 airlines flying to 42 destinations across Europe, as well as a twice-daily New York service.

This year, 3.2 million passengers are expected to travel through the airport.

http://www.airport-world.com/news-articles/item/2063-london-city-airport-announces-%E2%82%AC19-million-redevelopment-plan

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Judge allows Newham green light to London City Airport expansion

20th January 2011   

A High Court judge refused to overturn Newham Council’s decision to expand London City Airport.  Residents, represented by FoE’s Rights and Justice Centre, took the council to court in November 2010 after it decided to allow a 50% increase in flights.  Fight the Flights argued that Newham Council failed to consider changes to Government policy on climate change and did not properly consult boroughs and residents in the surrounding area.    Click here to view full story…

Newham Council’s decision to expand London City Airport by 50% will
increase flights from the airport from 73,000 to 120,000 a year. The decision
was made in October 2008.

 

 

 

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Some very old London Ci ty Airport news – bit of history:

 

London City Airport – Air France-KLM agrees to buy VLM

25.12.2007     (UK Airport News)

Air France-KLM is to buy Belgium’s VLM, the biggest airline operating out of
London City Airport.     No financial details were released of the surprise takeover
coup, which is subject to regulatory approval.   However, the French airline is
reported to have beat off rival interest from BA, which also operates from London
City.

The move will see VLM, which operates over 100 flights a day using a fleet of
18 Fokker 50 aircraft and one BAE 146, with the Docklands airport a hub for most
of its services, link up with the Dublin based Air France subsidiary CityJet.

The takeover will make Air France-KLM the dominant player at London City, the
small but fast-growing airport located close to the financial districts of the
City of London and Canary Wharf that specialises in lucrative business travellers.

The Dutch-French airline, the world’s biggest by turnover, will control around
half of all the takeoffs and landings at the airport.   Given current flight restrictions
(which the airport is applying to increase) London City is virtually full at peak
hours, making it almost impossible for rival carriers to launch new services.

All three leading European airlines, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa (which includes
Swiss), and BA, have made expansion at London City a priority during the last
year and have been competing hard in head-to-head competition.   If the takeover
is approved, the French carrier will acquire a powerful presence on an important
part of BA’s home turf and in particular in the market for business passengers
flying on short-haul UK and European routes out of London, the biggest aviation
market in Europe.

Four weeks ago BA announced that it would increase its flights from London City
by 32% next year, raising its fleet serving the airport to 12 aircraft and increasing
its network to 9 destinations by adding Nice, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Warsaw.
It is understood that BA had shown keen interest in taking over VLM, but lost
the deal to its French rival.

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/london-city-airport-news-251207.htm