London City Airport (LCY) has filed a request with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to change the approach angle for landing at the British capital’s central airport.
The review of the landing procedure, known as “steep approach”, would allow the Airbus A320neo to operate and thus increase passenger capacity at the airport.
Currently, the flight procedure (RNP AR) limits approaches to a 5.5º ramp, which only Embraer E-Jets and the Airbus A220 can handle.
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As they can carry up to around 150 passengers, these aircraft limit the airport’s capacity, which has more severe operational restrictions.
The A320neo can carry around 180 passengers and flies around 1,000km further than the two most common models currently at London City.
Airport’s expansion
In August 2024, the UK government approved the airport’s expansion plans, which now have a passenger capacity cap of 9 million, up from the current 6.5 million.
However, the approval did not include more flights per year or new infrastructure. Therefore, the only option available to LCY is to operate larger aircraft.
Even if the CAA authorises the change, it will need to follow a new operating procedure, with certification for landing and take-off at the airport and training for crew.
“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 reflecting cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft,” said Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport.
