Airport News
New Geneva service for London City Airport
Fri, 23 Oct, 2009
Baboo has confirmed it is to begin operating a route between London City Airport and Geneva.
The new twice daily service will take off for the first time on October 25th 2009, with fares available from £74 one way.
Jacques Bankir, chief executive officer of Geneva-based Baboo, said he was pleased that his airline would be working with the "most user-friendly airport in Europe" when it begins flying from London.
The Geneva flights are also being marketed as part of connecting services to Florence and Venice, with London City Airport's chief executive Richard Gooding claiming that they will be the quickest way to travel from London to the Italian cities.
"Regardless of having to make a stop in Geneva, passengers travelling from London City Airport will always experience a faster point-to-point journey thanks to our 15-minute check-in time and our location," said Mr Gooding.
The range of services available from London City Airport increased last month when British Airways began flying to New York.
Improvements to get underway at London City Airport next year
Thu, 10 Sep, 2009
London City will improve passengers' experiences of the airport by providing additional space and comfort in its departure lounge.
From early next year the Docklands business airport will be working to provide a significantly enlarged passenger search area, a project due to be completed by the following autumn.
Director of terminal services at London City Melanie Burnley explained that the airport was introducing additional security lanes "to respond to the change in passenger behaviour".
"With a greater use of online check-in and less use of traditional check-in desks, more passengers are heading straight to security upon arrival at the airport," she said.
"The reconfiguration of the terminal will enable the airport to maintain its successful status as the fastest airport in London."
Construction company Atkins Design & Engineering will project manage the airport's reconfiguration.
British Airways recently took delivery of a new 76-seat Embraer 170 aircraft, which will be used on flights to Edinburgh and Amsterdam from London City.
Unique Airbus aircraft to operate from London City Airport
Wed, 02 Sep, 2009
British Airways (BA) has welcomed the first of two uniquely configured Airbus A318s to its fleet at London City Airport.
The aircraft is due to operate the new long-haul service to New York from the Docklands airport.
BA is the first carrier in the world to take delivery of the modified A318, which boasts 'steep approach' capability - a feature that allows it to take off and land from airports with steeper-than-usual gradients.
Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive, said that while the A318 is the airline's smallest aircraft, it has a "big role to play" in improving connections between London and New York.
"The A318s were specially ordered for the twice-daily London City - JFK service because of their size, flexibility and 'steep approach' capability and will reinforce our unrivalled schedule between two of the world's greatest financial centres," he commented.
Each A318 is configured to carry just 32 passengers on Club World seats, all of which can convert to fully flat beds.
BA recently celebrated the 90th anniversary of the world's first daily international air service between London and Paris.
London City Airport gains flights to "best place to live in France"
Tue, 28 Apr, 2009
London City Airport has gained new flights to a destination voted the "best place to live in France".
Nantes was awarded the accolade in 2003 and 2004 by the country's Le Point publication.
Air France is launching the service to the city in co-operation with CityJet and VLM Airlines.
It will depart twice on weekdays and once on weekend days, taking 100 minutes.
The firm has commented the resort is perfect for business or leisure breaks during the summer.
"Nantes is a vibrant metropolis with scores of chic shops, restaurants and cafes, three universities and a lively cultural scene," it said.
Check-in times at can be as little as 15 minutes, the company added.
Those driving to the hub are advised that it is located to the east of the capital, near to the 02 Arena and Canary Wharf.
It is not in the congestion zone – people looking to take advantage of its airport parking facilities can input the postcode E16 2PX into their satnav systems to check which is the quickest route for them.
Investment from London City Airport's shareholder's "paid off"
Wed, 25 Mar, 2009
The investment from London City Airport's shareholders has "paid off well", it has been claimed.
Richard Gooding, chief executive of the facility, made this comment after the Civil Aviation Authority released figures showing that 74 per cent of flights had taken off on time in the fourth quarter of 2009 – a 16 per cent increase from the same period in 2007.
He explained that around £50 million has been used to enhance the passenger experience, from adding additional car parking at London City Airport to creating a new baggage handling facility.
The operator has responded to the needs of consumers and attempted to provide a good service in a short space of time.
"With the quickest surface access times to the airport and a check-in time of only 20 minutes, we continue to be the leading choice for savvy travellers," Mr Gooding commented.
Over the coming year, there will be significant investments placed into the airports Docklands hub and a number of new routes will be available.
It was announced earlier this month that Air Southwest would launch a twice-daily flight between London City Airport and Plymouth and Newquay from mid-April.
Passenger numbers rise at London City Airport
Mon, 12 Jan, 2009
Approximately 3.3 million travellers passed through London City Airport during 2008, a new record for the Docklands-based hub.
The figures, released by the airport last week, show that passenger numbers were up by 12 per cent compared to 2007.
Richard Gooding, the airport's chief executive, suggested that recent investment in facilities and a focus on improving services helped London City to reach the record high.
He claimed it was "the most successful ever" year for the airport and stated that progress had definitely been made over the course of the 12 months.
However, despite the good results and a growth in visitor numbers of ten per cent recorded for December, Mr Gooding stated that his organisation will "remain cautious about 2009's prospects until stability returns to the financial services industry and the wider economy".
London City claims to be the number one business airport in the UK and runs flights to 32 different destinations throughout the country and Europe.
London City Airport wins industry award
Thu, 11 Dec, 2008
It has been announced that London City Airport has received a prestigious award in the aviation industry.
The hub has been given the accolade of Best UK Business Airport by Buying Business Travel magazine readers, at a ceremony which is regarded as particularly important in the travel sector.
Richard Gooding OBE, chief executive of the airport, said he was thrilled with the prize and that it is the second time London City Airport has been given it.
"We have continued to successfully serve the business community for 21 years and it is an honour to be recognised as the leading airport for business travel in the country," he concluded.
In October, the airport was named as the winner of the European Regions Airline Association airport achievement award 2008/09 at a ceremony in Manchester.
This was given on account of its efficient planning and customer services, as well as a 24 per cent growth in passenger numbers in 2007, the judges said.
London City Airport 'will have image overhaul'
Fri, 05 Dec, 2008
London City Airport is to receive a £1.5 million refurbishment starting this month, it has been announced.
The project will include the installation of timber and polished limestone floors, marble surfaces and leather seats in its departure lounge, which airport managers say will establish a sense of relaxation in the waiting areas.
An extension of the departure lounge, which added on over 250 seats, as well as new retail space, high-speed internet points and live sports screens, has already been completed.
Richard Gooding OBE, chief executive of London City Airport, said the refurbishment shows the level of commitment to the hub's customers and frequent fliers.
"This second phase will confirm London City Airport's status as the UK's foremost business travel airport," he commented.
British Airways recently announced that it is to introduce business flights to New York from London City Airport in autumn 2009.
Ten airlines currently offer flights to 33 European destinations from the hub.
London City Airport workers to get ID cards
Fri, 07 Nov, 2008
All staff at London City Airport, followed by Manchester Airport, are to be enrolled on a pilot scheme for ID cards, it has been revealed.
According to ZDNet, the Home Office unveiled the scheme yesterday (November 6th) as part of a plan to increase security at vulnerable points such as airports.
Richard Gooding, the chief executive of London City Airport, said: "Our intention is that, working with the Home Office, all staff will be enrolled over an 18-month period. We shall make it compulsory."
Manchester Airport will participate after the implementation has been discussed with workers' unions.
However, critics of the pilot have said that it does not allow airport staff the same choice as other citizens.
Members of the public will be able to apply for ID cards voluntarily early in 2009.
Increased security has been implemented at the majority of airports since the failed terror plots in 2006, but this will be the first time that formal ID cards have been introduced.
Regional airports 'will fare better in the credit crunch'
Fri, 24 Oct, 2008
Smaller regional airports may see less of a decrease in traffic during the credit crunch than larger hubs, it has been claimed.
According to Stewart Cordner of BAE Systems, places like London City Airport may do better even in the current economic climate because their traffic is different in terms of who travels through.
He admitted that, "while there is going to be a slight drop-off", these hubs will continue to see business travelers and similar people who need to travel on niche routes and airports such as London City will continue to cater for them.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, 241 million passengers passed through UK airports in 2007, up 2.4 per cent from 2006.
Regional airports accounted for 42 per cent of the total passenger numbers.
Earlier this week, BAA played down any suggestions that the aviation and travel industry is suffering from the credit crunch, calling it a short-term correction and insisting that it will iron out in the same way that it did after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.
London City Airport scoops industry award
Mon, 13 Oct, 2008
London City Airport has won a prestigious award in the aviation industry, it has been announced.
The hub has been named as the winner of the European Regions Airline (ERA) Association airport achievement award 2008/09 at a ceremony in Manchester.
Judges cited its efficient planning and customer services, as well as a 24 per cent growth in passenger numbers in 2007, as key factors in its success.
Collecting the gong, London City Airport chief executive Richard Gooding said: "We are committed to continuing to deliver a premium service to passengers as London's favourite airport and supporting London's status as financial capital of the world."
The airport has previously won the ERA award for airport of the year in 2003.
British Airways recently announced that it is to introduce business flights to New York from London City Airport in autumn 2009.
Ten airlines currently offer flights to 33 European destinations from the hub.
Mayor calls for new London airport
Wed, 13 Aug, 2008
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has called for a report into whether building a new international airport would help ease air traffic congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick.
The mayor said the need for a long-term solution to airport congestion in London is becoming increasingly urgent.
A new eco-friendly airport could be located in the east of London, he wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.
He expressed doubt that Heathrow's "bitterly contested" third runway will ever be built. Gatwick, meanwhile, is already "full to bursting".
With the 2012 London Olympics only fours years away, the capital has a responsibility to "sort this chaos out now", he said.
"The volume of passengers coming to London airports is a testimony to the attractions of the city and the dynamism of the British economy," Mr Johnson added.
Last month, the mayor postponed the decision as to whether London City Airport should be allowed to increase flights by 50 per cent.
Mr Johnson wants to wait until a study by the National Air Traffic Services is published.
BA urged to protect Glasgow-London City flights
Thu, 07 Aug, 2008
British Airways (BA) is being urged to protect flights between Glasgow and London City Airport.
Scottish business leaders were responding to news that BA is reviewing its four-times-a-day service to London City Airport in addition to the closure of "hundreds" of other services between the two cities.
Between this October and next March, BA will apparently cut 287 return flights between Gatwick and London Heathrow and Gatwick, reports the Glasgow Evening Times.
Glasgow chamber of commerce chief Richard Cairns told the paper that any move to slash the Glasgow-London City service would be bad for business north of the border.
"We would particularly hope that London City flights will not be heavily affected, given their value to the financial services sector," he stated.
BA recently announced that its profits for the second quarter of the year fell by 87.6 per cent when compared with the same period in 2007.
London City's expansion put on hold
Thu, 31 Jul, 2008
The decision as to whether London City Airport should be allowed to increase annual flights capacity by 50 per cent has been deferred.
Newham borough council was expected to give the green light after an inspector advised the local authority to rubber stamp the expansion.
The delay follows a request by London mayor Boris Johnson that the decision be postponed until a study by the National Air Traffic Services is published.
If and when the go-ahead is given, capacity will increase from 80,000 to 120,000 flights a year.
A decision on the hub's application is now expected some time in September.
According to a report in the Telegraph, the airport is also working on a second application to increase its passenger capacity to eight million people a year.
London City was sold in 2006 for £750 million to insurer AIG and Global Infrastructure Partners.
London flight punctuality 'a mixed picture'
Wed, 18 Jun, 2008
The punctuality of scheduled flights at London's airports appears to be getting worse in some areas and better in others, according to new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Between January and March 2008, only 56 per cent of flights at London Heathrow Airport were on time, compared with 65 per cent in the same period of 2007.
At London City Airport, 58 per cent of flights were on time, down 12 percentage points.
In contrast, London Luton, London Gatwick and London Stansted improved their punctuality performance in the first three months of the year when compared with 2007.
At Luton, for example, on-time performance increased by five percentage points to 76 per cent.
The Civil Aviation Authority is a public corporation, established in 1972 as an independent specialist aviation regulator.
Last month, Giovanni Bisignani, the head of the International Air Transport Association, criticised the regulator for authorising an 86 per cent hike in charges that airlines will have to pay to use Heathrow.
New return flights from London to Isle of Man
Thu, 29 May, 2008
VLM Airlines has announced it will add three flights from London City Airport to the Isle of Man.
The carrier said this course of action is being taken to cater for increased demand from passengers eager to attend the famous Isle of Man TT Races.
Extra return flights to the Isle of Man will take place on Friday May 30th, Saturday May 31st and Saturday June 7th.
Johan Vanneste, managing director of VLM Airlines, said: "We are delighted that we can offer additional flights to cater to the demands of the many spectators.
"The races are not only a great sporting experience, but a vital component of the economy of the Isle of Man and we are pleased to be supporting that."
VLM Airlines presently offers a direct return flight from London City Airport to the Isle of Man on Sundays and weekdays.
The TT race is a motorcycle racing event that has been held on the Isle of Man since 1907.
BA to launch London City to Dublin service
Fri, 25 Apr, 2008
British Airways has announced plans for its BA CityFlyer subsidiary to launch a new service from London City Airport to Dublin on June 1st.
The route between the two capitals will operate three times a day, with seats available from £55 one way, including taxes.
BA CityFlyer's managing director Peter Simpson predicted the new service would prove popular with business travellers.
"Dublin is an important new route linking two financial capitals and we are delighted to be able to offer a three-a-day service in direct response to passenger demand," he said.
The airline has also revealed plans to increase the number of flights it operates from London City Airport to the French city of Nice and the Scottish capital Edinburgh in September.
British Airways recently announced plans to expand its own services from the Docklands site by launching a business class-only route to New York next year.
VLM takes punctuality prize
Tue, 08 Apr, 2008
VLM Airlines is the most punctual airline flying between London City Airport and Amsterdam, according to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The statistics showed that 77 per cent of VLM's flights on the route departed within 15 minutes of the scheduled time - a performance that KLM, British Airways (BA), bmi and easyJet could not match.
VLM's managing director Johan Vanneste said the figures demonstrated why the service is so popular with regular commuters on the route.
"Our business clientele, who traditionally represent around 80 per cent of our customer base, particularly value our high-quality service and repeatedly return to us for our consistent punctuality," Mr Vanneste explained.
Meanwhile, BA has announced plans to expand its services from London City Airport by opening new routes to Warsaw and Barcelona in May.
Last month, BA began operating daily flights to the French city of Nice from London City Airport.
London City Airport 'Superbrand'
Wed, 05 Mar, 2008
London City Airport has become the only airport to be named a Business Superbrand, joining the UK's top 500 business brands list.
Other major brands listed in the top 500 include British Airways, Air France and AIG.
Richard Gooding OBE, chief executive of the airport, said its growth is "exciting to see".
He explained that in 20 years, the airport has increased passengers numbers from 133,000 to a record of 2.9 million during 2007.
"More and more business travellers are recognising the benefits of London City Airport as it is located on the doorstep of the city and Canary Wharf," Mr Gooding added. "This accolade strengthens our position in the business of travel."
London City Airport is currently served by 11 of the world's major airlines, travelling to 33 different UK and European destinations.
It was recently named as the best UK airport at the Wanderlust Travel Awards, based on a poll of 3,000 readers.
London City Airport 'best in UK'
Tue, 12 Feb, 2008
For the third year in a row, London City Airport has been voted best airport in the UK by Wanderlust readers.
Following an independent poll of nearly 3,000 readers, the airport beat competitors Newcastle Airport and Bristol International Airport to win the title.
Charles Buchanan, strategy director, collected the award and said he and his colleagues are "delighted" to have won.
"This is the third consecutive year which Wanderlust readers have voted London City Airport the best UK airport," he commented. "It means so much more when awards are as a result of passenger opinions."
The airport stated that its central location, fast check in service and easy access via public transport may have all contributed to its success.
Additional aircraft parking is currently underway and due to be completed in spring following a record year for passenger numbers in 2007.
The airport aims to expand its aircraft parking stands from 14 in 2006 to 19 by 2015 and 25 by 2030.
Airline welcomes rail problems
Fri, 04 Jan, 2008
Problems on the rail network have proved to be a real boost for one airline operating flights between Manchester Airport and London City Airport.
Engineering work on the west coast mainline scheduled for completion before the end of the holiday period has overrun and is now unlikely to be finished before January 4th 2008.
The ongoing work means Virgin Trains is only able to operate a restricted service and it has advised the 60,000 passengers it normally transports between Manchester and London on a daily basis to seek other ways of making the journey.
One firm to benefit from the disruption is VLM Airlines, which has noticed an upturn in passenger numbers in recent days.
The airline's managing director Johan Vanneste said: "We are pleased that we have attracted new customers who have been able to experience our fast and convenient service."
VLM claims travelling to London City Airport gives passengers an easier journey into the heart of the capital than from Heathrow, as the Docklands Light Railway takes just 25 minutes to reach the city centre.
BA unveils new holiday services
Tue, 27 Nov, 2007
British Airways (BA) has announced it is to launch 12 new short-haul services to holiday destinations from London next March.
Daily flights to the Spanish resort of Malaga from London Heathrow Airport are scheduled to commence on March 30th, the same date as seven new routes from London Gatwick Airport are due to open.
They will fly to Gibraltar, the Portuguese city of Faro, the Tunisian capital Tunis and the Spanish holiday hotspots of Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga and Palma.
All those services will operate at least once a day, apart from the five times a week flights to Tunis.
BA is also extending its operations from London City Airport through its Cityflyer subsidiary, which is to launch daily services to the Polish capital Warsaw, the Catalan city of Barcelona, the Dutch city of Amsterdam and the French resort of Nice.
The airline recently announced that it is increasing its fuel surcharge on short-haul flights to £10 per flight for all tickets booked after November 15th 2007.
BA CityFlyer to improve London City links
Fri, 19 Oct, 2007
London City Airport passengers could soon have more options as BA CityFlyer has announced it will be running two new Avro RJ85s from next spring.
The new jets are arriving on leases from BAE systems, in order to replace the RJ100s. It means that longer routes will open up, with the airline able to ferry more passengers.
Currently, London City Airport's rules mean that BA CityFlyer can take just 60 passengers, but the jets can carry as many as 84.
Peter Simpson, managing director BA CityFlyer, said: "This is part of our planned fleet improvement programme, designed to improve our performance on key business routes from London City Airport."
He added that the company will now be able to improve services it offers on often-busy European routes.
BA CityFlyer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways and conducts a number of European services from London City Airport.
Luxembourg links strengthened
Mon, 24 Sep, 2007
Flights to Luxembourg from the UK will become more frequent at the end of October as more services are scheduled to be introduced from Manchester Airport and London City Airport to the European city.
VLM Airlines is adding more flights between London City Airport and Luxembourg since it started the service nearly ten years a go.
Managing director VLM Airlines Johan Vanneste commented on the success of the route.
"We are extremely proud of the results we have attained in Luxembourg so far, and look forward to offering the same impeccable service to our customers in the years to come,” he remarked.
The airline carried 12 per cent more passengers on this route for the first six months of 2007, according to Mr Vanneste.
These changes will also mean links between Manchester Airport and Luxembourg via London City Airport are also strengthened.
Earlier this week, it was announced the service offered by Air Berlin to London Stansted Airport from Manchester Airport is to increase in frequency when Eastern Airways takes over the route.