London City airport seeks leisure market growth with Airbus A320neo bid
The airport said its proposal would allow the site to reach its permitted limit for passenger numbers with fewer flights.
London City airport has applied for permission to allow Airbus A320neo aircraft to use its runway.
The airport said the proposal made to regulator the Civil Aviation Authority would allow it to reach its permitted limit for passenger numbers with fewer flights.
It would also increase the number of routes served, London City added.
The Government approved London City’s plan to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to nine million by 2031.
This was on the basis of no rise in the limit on the number of flights, and no new infrastructure.
The A320neo is commonly used by airlines largely focused on the leisure market, such as easyJet and Wizz Air.
London City’s application seeks permission to reduce the angle of approaching flights, which would be necessary for it to safely accommodate the A320neo.
Current rules mean only aircraft certified for steep approaches are permitted to land.
Campaigners believe reducing the gradient of flights would lead to a severe increase in noise for people living near the airport.
John Stewart, who chairs the group Hacan East, said: “Although some of the new planes may be a little quieter, the fact that they will be lower and there will be more of them will mean the overall noise climate becomes worse.”
London City chief executive Alison FitzGerald 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.”
This comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to use a speech on Wednesday to endorse proposals for a third runway at Heathrow, as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports.
