London City Airport Consultative Committee

About the Airport

An overview including the Airport's business strategy, routes, airlines, passengers, corporate aviation, operational facilities and procedures

On this Page:

At a Glance
Profile
Airport History

Business Strategy

Route Network

Airlines

Services to New York
Passengers

Airport Operations
Air Traffic Control

Fire and Rescue
Security
Corporate Aviation
Airport Fees and Charges
Statistics
Surface Access

Tourism
The Future

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Related Pages
About the Airport - Home Page (Alt+2)
Aeronautical Data (Alt+3)
Aircraft (Alt+4)
Airport History (Alt+5)
Airport Operations (Alt+6)
Air Traffic Control (Alt+7)
Corporate Aviation (Alt+8)
Fees and Charges (Alt+9)
Fire and Rescue (Alt+0)
Operational Improvements (Alt+A)
Passengers (Alt+B)
Statistics (Alt+C)
Employment (Alt+D)
Community Relations (Alt+E)
Airport Safeguarding (Alt+F)
Surface Access (Alt+G)
Looking Ahead (Alt+H)

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Profile

London City Airport is a rapidly growing dynamic business. It has not shifted from the initial vision of John Mowlem and Co., the orginal developer, that a City Centre Airport, designed to serve a niche business market, could reap significant financial rewards for the owner, and the airlines.

In 2007, nearly three million passengers passengers travelled through London City Airport to its 31 UK and European destinations. According to the Airport's latest data 64% of passengers travelling through the airport are doing so for business reasons. Two-thirds are male. About 77% of passengers are on international flights with the rest using domestic services

The Airport is only 6 miles east of the City, and is one of five major international airports serving the London conurbation. The other major airports serving this large market are Heathrow located 16 miles west of the City, Gatwick 25 miles to the south, Stansted 35 miles to the north-east and Luton 30 miles to the north.

London City Airport is a private limited company owned by a consortium of AIG Financial Products Corporation and Global Infrastructure Partners. It is the only London airport developed from scratch with private capital. As well as employing 250 people itself, the Airport is landlord to a host of other companies operating at the airport, including airlines, handling agents, caterers and retailers.

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Airport History

LONDON CITY AIRPORT has its origins in the regeneration of London's Docklands and its early history is closely linked to that of the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), the government agency which in the 80s and 90s took the lead in managing the regeneration of the area. It is still a key factor in the ongoing regeneration of the Royal Docks which finally closed to shipping in the early 1980s.  For comprehensive information visit our Airport History pages.

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Business Strategy

The Airport's business strategy from its initial conception to the present day is to be an airport to cater specifically for the needs of the business traveller. One factor behind this decision was the large demand for international travel that London business generates. Within two hours flying time of London, live 360 million people. Some 60% of air travel to and from southeast England is to this area. A second consideration was the proximity of the Airport to the world’s largest financial centre – the City of London – that is home to over 560 foreign banks, not to mention many insurance, legal and supporting services.

For airlines and consequently airports, the yield (income per passenger), generated from passengers travelling on business class fares, is generally significantly higher than other aviation markets (e.g. charter, no-frills). This is, therefore, the most profitable market in which to operate and develop the Airport.

The service concept is for a facility where check-in is a mere ten minutes, is prompt, friendly and efficient, and where the calm atmosphere is undisturbed by large crowds and the usual confusion associated with air travel. To cater for a specialised ‘niche’ market in this way implies a conscious decision not to try and become a ‘mini Heathrow’, accommodating all types of operators and passengers.

The future business strategy of the airport remains focused on the business travel market, but it is not always possible to predict precisely which routes will develop in the future, as this is primarily a decision for individual airlines in response to market demand. However, the Airport has identified, through market research, those routes that it sees as presenting the best opportunity for the business to grow and develop and works with airlines to serve them.It is part of the airport’s marketing objectives to develop and maintain a ‘critical mass’ of routes such as to offer travellers a variety of destinations. Operating at an average frequency of 4 rotations per weekday and 1 to 2 rotations at weekends, provides the business traveller with a product that will satisfy most, if not all, of his or her domestic and European business travel needs.

The expanding route network to key European cities is also designed to encompass weekend breaks and services for the leisure traveller on the sectors less popular with business travellers.

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Route Network

THE map shows the destinations presently served from London City. Details of the airline schedules, and of passenger facilities, can be found on the Airport's main web site.

The Airport's route development strategy is focussed on those of the "Top 25" European destinations not already served. At the same time the Airport is looking for the development of existing routes with more flights and/or larger aircraft.

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Airlines

(As at 19th January 2009)

* Operated by CityJet
** Provided by Scotairways
*** From 19th January 2009

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Services to New York

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. In 2006 the A318 twice visited the Airport on proving flights - more information

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Passengers

THE Airport continues to focus on the Business travel market offering a good quality Business Class product for all passengers. It's success in this market is demonstrated by recent survey figures which show that nearly 60% of departing passengers at London City are travelling on business and very high proportion of passengers using the Airport are in Banking and Finance - more than 60%.

For more information on the Airport's passengers and the arrangements made for a high standard of customer care visit our Passengers page. 

For details of the very good range of high quality services available for passengers - click the icon for details.

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Airport Operations

FOR details of the regulatory regime in which the Airport operates, and its operational facilities and procedures, visit our Airport Operations page which covers:  

• the Airport's Operations Control Centre
• Ground Services
• Flying Hours.

• Terminal Opening Hours
• Permitted Aircraft
• Limitation on Air Transport Movements
• Other Regulatory Requirements
• Runway
• Stands
• the Operational Improvements Programme
• Navigation Aids
• Dealing with Snow and Ice

There are separate pages dealing with the Air Traffic Control and Fire and Rescue services as well as a link online to the UK AIP for Aeronautical Data

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Air Traffic Control

THE Airport's Air Traffic Control (ATC) services are provided by the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) under contract. There is a staff of 11 controllers and four engineers who work in two shifts. The team is also responsible for the maintenance of the Airport's air navigation systems. For more detailed information visit our ATC.and Aeronautical Data pages. 

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Rescue and Fire Fighting Service

THE Airport's Fire and Rescue Service is fully equipped to provide an immediate response to an aircraft accident or incident. Visit our Fire & Rescue Page for more information

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Security

THE security arrangements at the Airport meet the latest requirements of the Department for Transport who make regular inspections. The Airport was among the earliest equipped with machinery for hold baggage screening. In May 2003 the Airport was the first in Europe to deploy terminal wide biometric security access for all employees across all airport areas.  The deployment marked the completion of stage one of the Airport’s plans for biometric security. Its security specialists are now working with the supplier to extend the system to allow biometric logon in the Airport to multiple systems and applications as well as to passenger based security systems in the near future.

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Corporate Aviation

LONDON City Airport is proving popular with corporate operators who enjoy the speed and efficiency of an Airport so close to the city centre.  Between  1995  and 2001 there was a 252% increase in corporate aviation and in August that year the Airport announced it was to build a dedicated facility for this traffic.

This new Jet Centre was completed in mid 2002.  It provides a complete corporate aviation package including VIP lounges, a dedicated VIP stand, parking for at least 20 aircraft and immigration, customs and crew facilities. 

For more information visit our Corporate Aviation page

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Airport Fees and Charges

FOR the Airport's latest fees and charges (which took effect on 1st April 2007) and Conditions of Use (2004) see our Fees and Charges page.

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Statistics

For those interrested in the numbers there is a range of data on the Airport on our Statistics page.

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Surface Access

When the Airport opened in 1987 access to it was perceived to be poor. The opening in 1993 of the Limehouse Link and the other Docklands strategic highways transformed the position and there is now very good road access to and from central London. The A13 improvements completed in 2005 brought further benefits to the Airport.

Also in 2005 a new extension of the DLR was completed linking the Airport with the transport interchange at Canning Town which opened late in 1999 and which itself greatly enhanced access to the Airport by public transport via the new Jubilee Line extension and the DLR. 

The Airport Extension of the DLR is now being further extended taking it under the River to Woolwich Arsenal and the suggested Abbey Wood branch of Crossrail, which is planned to serve the Royal Docks, is now looking more likely.

For more detailed information visit our Surface Access pages.

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Tourism

In late September 2005 the Airport launched a tour operation which aims to promote the hidden attractions of the East End and sell the area to both business and leisure visitors through an easy to access website ViaLondonCityAirport.com

The Airport is confident that the site will attract upwards of 5000 visitors to the East London in its first year. At the same time it will raise the general profile of East London which to many remains unknown. Visitors to the site are able able to access hotels, tourist attractions, tours, theatres, downloadable audio walking tours, restaurants, a guide to nightlife, guides of the area plus much, much more. The site aims to deliver a complete travel package - everything visitors might need to know about the East End .

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The Future

IN responding to the Government's recent consultation on the Future of Aviation in the UK the Airport looked at the opportunities for further growth at London City in a manner which would be environmentally sustainable.  The conclusions, and some of the background discussions, can be accessed via our Looking Ahead page.

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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: 4th January 2009