London City Airport Consultative Committee

Aircraft

Descriptions of the principal types of Aircraft authorised to use London City Airport

On this Page:

Type Approval
Aircraft currently used for Scheduled Services
Aircraft being assessed for approval
Approved Business Aircraft
Visits

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Type Approval

ALL aircraft using the Airport must be of an approved type. To qualify for approval an aircraft must fit into one of the Airport's Noise Categories and be capable of making an approach at 5.5 degrees or steeper (this compares with 3 degrees at most other airports). Helicopters and other vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and aircraft with a single engine, are prohibited and flying for club or leisure purposes is not permitted. Type approval is given by the Airport's Operations and Control Department, telephone: +44 (0)20 7646 0241, fax: +44 (0)20 7511 0248, e-mail: operations@londoncityairport.com

All pilots must hold a Commercial or Air Transport Pilots Licence and have completed at least three approaches at 5.5 degrees or steeper.

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Aircraft currently approved for scheduled services

Here are brief details of the principal types of aircraft currently approved for use at the the Airport to provide scheduled services.   (Note:  The Maximum Take off and Landing Weights of aircraft are not always available at London City Airport).

Airbus A318
BAe 146/Avro RJ family
BAe 4100 Jetstream
ATR 42
ATR 72
DHC Dash 7
Bombardier Q Series/DHC Dash 8
Dornier Fairchild 228
Dornier Fairchild Do328

Dornier Fairchild Do328 Jet
Embraer 135
Embraer E170
Fokker 50
Fokker 70
Saab 340
Saab 2000
Shorts 360-300

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Airbus A318

On 1st February 2008 British Airways announced that in 2009 it would be launching a twice daily business class-only service from London City Airport to New York using the A318.  BA have placed an order for the aircraft and they expect to launch the service in 2009 - they will announce the exact start date nearer the time.  There is no need to change or extend the runway for this aircraft but some apron work may be needed. Click here to see the Airport's press release.

This aircraft made two vists to London City Airport during its approval trials - see below

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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British Aerospace 146/Avro International Aerospace  RJ70/85/100 

The  BAe 146 first flew in September 1981.  It was demonstrated at London City Airport in 1988 and, following the lengthening of the runway, commercial services from the Airport using the 146 started in March 1992. It continues in constant daily service to a number of destinations.

The Avro RJ70, RJ85 and RJ 100 types were introduced as replacements for the BAe 146 -100. -200 and -300 series. The main changes included more powerful engines and all-digital avionics.  Avro is a division of BAe Systems.  

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

In response to the problems which have severely affected the industry following the events in New York on 11th September 2001, BAe Systems announced in November 2001 that its plans to offer the Avro RJX,  combining the Avro RJ airframe with Honeywell's new AS977-1A engine, had been abandoned.

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British Aerospace Jetstream 41 (JS41)

This aircraft first flew in September 1991. It is a derivative of the Jetstream 31 with a longer fuselage and a modified wing and tail.  The J41 is operating throughout the world in 29/30 seat commuter and 14-seat corporate shuttle configurations.

The type was used at London City for a time to provide scheduled services to Sheffield.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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Avions de Transport Regional - ATR 42

ATR is a consortium formed in November 1981 when Aerospatiale (now part of EADS) and Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica) merged their two separate, but similar, regional aircraft designs into one single effort. The ATR 42, the first of the ATR family of aircraft, made its first flight on 16 August 1984 and entered service (with Air Littoral) on 9th December 1985. The current production model is the ATR-500.

The ATR 42 -300 was used at London City for a time to provide scheduled services for Air Wales to Cardiff and Swansea. The ATR42-500 is now used by Contact Air to provide services for Lufthansa Regional

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

Avions de Transport Regional - ATR 72

In February 2009 regional airline Aer Arann today became the first operator of the ATR 72-500 series aircraft into London City Airport. This followed its approval for operations into the Airport following a certification programme involving Aer Arann, ATR, London City Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority

The ATR 72 was developed from the ATR 42 by stretching the fuselage by 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in), increasing the wingspan, adding more powerful engines, and increasing fuel capacity by approximately 10 percent. The 72 was announced in 1986 and made its maiden flight on 27 October 1988. Exactly one year after that Finnair became the first company to put the plane into service.

At least 408 ATR 72s have been delivered worldwide with orders pending on at least 28 more. Aer Arran will use the aircraft for its services to the Isle of Man

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

De Havilland Canada Dash 7

The Dash 7, which first flew on 27 March 1975, was designed as a STOL (short takeoff and landing) 50 seat regional airliner capable of operating from strips as short as 915m (3000ft) in length.

This aircraft was a major player in the early history of  London City Airport which was conceived originally on the basis that it would be used only by the DHC Dash-7and aircraft with equivalent STOL capabilities. For the first four-and-half years it was the only aircraft providing scheduled services.

Pictured right is a Dash-7 of the former London City Airways.  The other carrier at the Airport at that time was Brymon Airways. They featured very prominently in the Airport's conception and early history.  There are more Dash-7 pictures among the History pages of this site

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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Bombardier Q Series/De Havilland Dash 8

The first De Havilland Canada Dash 8 flew in June 1983.  The present owners of the company, Bombardier Aerospace, have renamed the Dash 8 family as the Q series (Q for quiet).  

The new Q400 was approved for use at London City in October 2001. 

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More Information on the Dash 8/Bombardier Q series

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Dornier Do228

This aircraft first flew on 28 March 1981and entered airline service in January 1982. It is a tough, short-field aircraft used for passenger service, freight and many surveillance and military applications.  It is still being produced under license in India.  

The Dornier 228 was in use for some time at London City to provide services to Rotterdam.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

Following the demise of Fairchild Dornier maintenance and support for this aircraft is now offered by Avcraft.

More Information on the Dornier 228

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Dornier Do328

This aircraft first flew on 6th December 1991.  The first production aircraft was delivered in 1993.  

Scot Airways use this type to provide their services from London City Airport. 

This picture taken at Edinburgh Airport by Joe Curry (2002)

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More Information of the Dornier 328

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Dornier Do328J

This aircraft first flew in 1998 with certification and first deliveries in July 1999.  The aircraft is a jet powered derivative of the Dornier 328.

A total of 111 were built including the prototype converted from a 328 turboprop.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More Information of the Dornier 328

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Embraer ERJ 135

This 37 seat aircraft first flew in July 1998.  It is a derivative of the larger  50 seat ERJ 145 with which it shares more than 90% of its parts. The engines, main systems, cockpit, wing, tail and fuselage cross section are all the same but it is 11.7 feet (3.6m) shorter. It entered airline serrice in August 1999.

The type was given JAA approval to use London City in October 2003.  The Irish airline JetMagic used the aircraft for a time to provide services to Cork. Luxair are now using it for its service between London City and Luxembourg replacing the Fokker 50.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More information on the Embraer ERJ 135

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Embraer E170

In December 2008 British Airways announced that it had has placed firm orders with Embraer for a fleet of 11 new generation fuel efficient aircraft which beginning in September 2009 will fly exclusively from London City Airport on routes to Scotland, Ireland and Europe. Included in the order were six Embraer 170s an aircraft type which gained approval for use at LCY in 2007. The remainder are E190s a type which is currently undergoing a series of engineering evaluation tests with the view to receiving its steep approach certification by the end of 2009 - see below.

The new aircraft will replace the current fleet of 10 Avro RJ100 and two RJ85 aircraft operated by BA CityFlyer. The new aircraft will be greener and more fuel efficient with significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions. This was said to be a key consideration in the order.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More information on the Embraer E170

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Fokker 50

This aircraft first flew in December 1985.  It is very little different from the Fokker F27-500 from which it is derived. The main enhancement over the F-27 was more powerful engines, delivering higher cruising speeds, greater fuel economy and range. Other improvements included updated avionics to decrease flight crew workload and small winglets to enhance efficiency.  Production of the aircraft came to an end in March 1995.  The type is in constant daily use at London City with VLM.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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Fokker 70

This aircraft first flew in April 1993. The Fokker 70 is a shortened development of the popular 100 seat class Fokker 100. Production ceased after Fokker was put into liquidation early in 1997.  

The type was in daily use at London City with Austrian..  

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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Saab 340B

The Saab 340B first flew in April 1989.  It is similar to the Saab 340A but has an extended-span tail plane and more powerful engines. 

The type has seen service at London City but it is not currently in use for scheduled services

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More Information of the Saab 340

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Saab 2000

This aircraft first flew in March 1992. It entered service in 1994 offering jet-like performance to give regional airlines greater productivity and operational flexibility. Among the Saab 2000's features is its ability to fly long- range regional routes of up to 1,000 miles. It is similar to the Saab 340 but with a much longer fuselage. 

This aircraft has seen service at London City with Crossair (now Swiss).

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More Information on the Saab 2000

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Shorts 360-300

This aircraft first flew in June 1981. Developed by Short Brothers of Belfast the Shorts 360 has gained a reputation as a reliable, economical aeroplane which well suited to short-haul regional operations. The wide, spacious cabin gives the aircraft great passenger appeal, whilst the square cabin cross-section, large forward door, and low cabin floor height also make it a favourite with freight customers.  The type has not been used for scheduled services at London City

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

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Aircraft being assessed for approval

This aircraft is now being assessed for approval for use at London City Airport

Embraer E190

In December 2008 British Airways announced that it had has placed firm orders with Embraer for a fleet of 11 new generation fuel efficient aircraft which beginning in September 2009 will fly exclusively from London City Airport on routes to Scotland, Ireland and Europe. Included in the order were six Embraer 170s - see above - an aircraft type which gained approval for use at LCY in 2007. The remainder are E190s a type which is currently undergoing a series of engineering evaluation tests with the view to receiving its steep approach certification by the end of 2009.

The new aircraft will replace the current fleet of 10 Avro RJ100 and two RJ85 aircraft operated by BA CityFlyer. The new aircraft will be greener and more fuel efficient with significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions. This was said to be a key consideration in the order.

Type

Engines

Wing Span

Length

Max Cruising Speed

Passengers

Number Produced

Aircraft weight data

More information on the Embraer E190

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Approved Business Aircraft

Here is a list of other approved aircraft as at February 2008 - check with Operations (telephone: +44 (0)20 7646 0241, fax: +44 (0)20 7511 0248, e-mail: operations@londoncityairport.com) for any changes.  

BE20 Beechcraft 200

BE9L Beechcraft 900

BE58 PA Beechcraft Baron

C90/C90A Beechcraft

B300 Beechcraft

Beech 400A

Hawker 800 XP

C510 (Citation Mustang)

C550 (II) (Citation II)

C560 (Citation V)

C525 CJ1 (Citation Jet 1)

C525 CJ2 (Citation Jet 2)

C525 CJ3 (Citation Jet 3)

C550 (Citation Bravo)

C56X (Citation Excel)

EMB 135BJ (Legacy)

FA900B (subject to individual ability to complete public transport factored landing distances)

FA10 (Falcon 10)

FA50 (Falcon 50)

F7X (Falcon 7X)

F900EX (Falcon 900EX)

Bombardier Challenger 605 (CL60)

Learjet 45 (LJ45)

PA34 (Seneca)

PA31 (Navajo)

P180 (Piaggio Avanti)

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Visits

Embraer 190SR

The Embraer 190 (see above) visited the Airport for trials in connection with its approval for ordinary service use. Here is the planned schedule for the vist:

• 28th March 2009 – aircraft arrives at approximately 11am
• 29th March 2009– parking evaluation
• 30th March 2009 – validation flight with the CAA
• 31st March - 5th April 2009 – noise measurement trials during airport operational hours
• 6th April 2009 – aircraft departs.

The aircraft was flown by experienced test pilots supervision from the Civil Aviation Authority. The aircraft performed the required steep approach with the use of a software solution developed on the existing fly-by-wire system which according to Embraer means "better flight qualities and control, reduced pilot workload, and less aircraft weight and maintenance costs. When departing from LCY, the Embraer 190 range will reach more than 800 nautical miles (1,500 km), covering all current routes operated from this airport and bringing additional flexibility for airlines to add more distant, important European business destinations. The steep approach capability will also enable operations at other airports that require equivalent procedures".

The Embraer 170 (already approved - see above) and 190SR are new generation aircraft which the Airport believes will, in time, replace the RJ 85 and RJ 100 fleets.  It is said the E170 and E190 are up to 56% more fuel efficient than some of the aircraft currently operating at the Airport, with significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions.

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Airbus A318

Saturday 14th May 2006

Among the aircraft currently under consideration for use on routes serving London City Airport is the Airbus A318. This aircraft paid a visit to the Airport for compatibilty tests on Saturday 14th May 2006 and here are some pictures taken at the time - click the thumbnails to see a larger version:

In a press release issued to mark the visit Airbus said the A318 offers twice the range of existing aircraft serving Airport and will allow commercial operators to offer new, longer distance routes to new markets such as Rome, Madrid and Eastern Europe. The A318 Elite corporate jet version could operate even further afield.

The visit follows three years of evaluation by Airbus, London City Airport and airworthiness authorities. In March 2006 authorities granted the A318 a Steep Approach Certification which enabled the compatibility tests to take place. "With its ultra low noise characteristics" says the press release "the A318 makes an extremely good neighbour for downtown airports".

The smallest in the Airbus family, the A318 entered service in July 2003. It has a range of up to 3,250 nm/6,000 km, and typically accommodates 107 passengers in a two-class layout and up to 132 passengers in a single-class layout.

Saturday 29 October 2006

The A318 again visited the Airport to perform a series of compatibility tests. The aircrft was crewed by Captain Ed Strongman, Airbus Experimental Test Pilot and pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with Stéphane Vaux as Airbus Flight Test Engineer.

London City is constrained by obstacles and tough noise-rules.  The Airport believes that in successfully demonstrating steep approaches – an approach path at an angle of 5.5 degrees instead of the 3 degrees typical at most airports – the Airbus A318 has shown that it can meet these constraints, confirming its ability to be an extremely good neighbour at city sites.  The aircraft undertook a number of landings, including several missed approaches and ground manoeuvring exercises, including turning on the runway.

Here are some pictures taken from across the Dock by a group from the Beckton Community Forum (click the thumbnails to see a larger version):

Here is the Group's reaction:

"I was with Debbie (Member of Aviation Environmental Federation AEF) and we went along to listen and photograph the new Airbus 318 and make a lot of noise if it was too noisy;  but the engine noise was no big deal for a larger aircraft - It took off into a steep climb and certainly no louder than the usual Jets and much quieter than -the exec jets and the short haul propeller (turbo props),  also bearing in mind - it took off without passengers or freight.

"Our verdict was  - the engineers and designers have successfully developed an aircraft that has more powerful engines, takes more passenger further is therefore bigger and quieter.  On our way back we called in to the local corner shop (approx 1000yds away) and asked the owners and customers about the new aircraft noise and they said - what noise? 

"As a visitor to this area Debbie was impressed with the representation and shared information we have with the local airport

The aircraft used on 29th October was fitted with the latest technology engines and carried 56 tonnes, representative of the load it would take from London City under normal operations. With this in mind the Airport commented that it would not expect the aircraft to be noiser when carrying passengers and freight.

On 1st February 2008 British Airways announced that in 2009 it would be launching a twice daily business class-only service from London City Airport to New York using the A318. It is understood that regulatory approval to use LCY is now being pursued by the manufacturer and the operator.  BA have placed an order for the aircraft and they expect to launch the service in 2009 - they will announce the exact start date nearer the time.  There is no need to change or extend the runway for this aircraft but some apron work may be needed. Click here to see the Airport's press release.

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An independent Consultative Committee established by London City Airport pursuant to Section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982
Chairman: John Adshead     Secretary: Stuart Innes
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Page last modified: 20th April 2009