It’s one of Europe’s most convenient airports.
A small London airport is about to expand, making it easier to fly to destinations across Europe.
London City Airport (LCY), which is located just east of the city, will be allowed to expand from 6.5 million passengers to 9 million passengers each year, according to the Department for Transport. It will also be able to add three extra early morning weekday flights.
The small airport features just 15 gates spread across two wings and last year served only 3.4 million passengers. That’s a tiny fraction of the 79 million passengers who passed through London’s international Heathrow Airport (LHR) last year.
Favored because of its close proximity to central London, London City Airport has been increasing passenger since the pandemic, according to the airport. However, it hasn’t yet reached its pre-pandemic numbers like the 5.1 million travelers it handled in 2019.
The airport offers flights to more than two dozen different destinations across the United Kingdom and Europe, including from major carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM.
While the airport will be allowed to expand, it will not be allowed to increase its opening hours. Currently, London City Airport is open from 4:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday, from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, and from 4:45 a.m. to just 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The airport requested to instead close at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays, but that was denied due to a number of concerns, including noise.
“While we welcome the approval to increase our passenger numbers, we are disappointed with the Government’s decision to reject our proposal to fly from 12:30pm to 6:30pm on Saturday afternoons,” Alison FitzGerald, the CEO of London City Airport, said in a statement. “As the Government has recognised in its decision, rejecting our request to extend our Saturday afternoon operating hours will slow down airlines bringing cleaner, quieter next generation aircraft to the airport. Local residents would have had the added benefit of these aircraft operating at the airport throughout the week, not just in the extended operating hours.”
London boasts six major airports: Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW), London City Airport (LCY), London Luton Airport (LTN), London Stansted Airport (STN), and London Southend Airport (SEN).
Source: Travel + Leisure
By: Alison Fox