Helvetic Airways is due to debut the E190-E2 jet at London City Airport soon, AINonline revealed on Monday. The Embraer aircraft received authorization from the UK CAA (British civil aviation authority) last week to operate in the restricted London air terminal.
London City Airport has operational restrictions that limit aircraft due to noise, steep approach and its short runway. Helvetic even flew the first generation E190, but like other carriers, it stopped operating at the airport some time ago.
With the opening of some borders in Europe, London City once again received flights from the European continent such as the A220-100 from Swiss, which resumed their route from Zurich on 12 May.
The E190-E2 is the first variant of the new family of regional jets to enter service. The aircraft was at the London City Airport in July 2018, before attending the Farnborough Air Show.
On that occasion, the airline’s CCO, Richard Hill, celebrated the jet’s visit: “To welcome the Embraer E2 to London City Airport for the first time is a crucial milestone towards certification and subsequent commercial operation at London’s most central airport.”
Currently, 70% of flights that operate at the airport are performed by Embraer E-Jets. Neither the outlet nor Helvetic have announced the flight start date so far.
