London’s fifth-largest airport will submit an application to aviation regulators this week that could allow it to capture a larger share of the leisure travel market.
Sky News has learned that the City of London will present a bid on Monday to change the take-off and landing slopes used by planes entering and leaving the airport – a move which would address concerns Airbusthe A320neo.
The application will be filed formally with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), industry sources said.
The A320neo is used by airlines including easyJet and WizzAir, which primarily serve the leisure market rather than business travelers.
Whitehall sources said London City chief executive Alison FitzGerald wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves late last week to inform her of her plans.
The airport’s move comes around six months after the government granted it permission to increase passenger numbers from 6.5 million a year to 9 million, while being denied the chance to expand its opening hours on Saturday.
In her letter to the chancellor – which was seen by Sky News – Ms FitzGerald described her candidacy for the CAA as “a pro-growth initiative”.
“We will seek approval to introduce a new flight procedure (RNP AR) that would allow the Airbus A320neo to operate,” she wrote.
“This would open up a range of possible new routes for passengers while incentivizing airlines to modernize their fleets from older aircraft to new generation aircraft, such as the Airbus A320neo, which emits less carbon and is more silent.
“The introduction of this next generation aircraft would also support the Government’s objectives of driving economic growth and supporting sustainable aviation, while creating greater choice of destinations and reducing environmental impact for local residents .”
An easyJet A320neo plane. File photo: iStock
She added: “An earlier increase in passenger numbers will lead to economic growth, promote competition between airlines and stimulate job creation in and around the airport without increasing flight movements or requiring infrastructure additional.
“In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, the introduction of the A320neo will offer passengers a greater choice of destinations.
“The aircraft can travel more than 1,000 km, covering a significant part of continental Europe.
“The broader offering will make it easier for passengers, including local residents, to travel for leisure or visit family and friends abroad.
“If our application is successful, it would send a positive signal to investors that Britain is open for business.”
London City’s letter to Ms Reeves puts air capacity at the forefront of Labour’s economic agenda.
The Chancellor is expected to confirm her support for a third landing strip at Heathrow on Wednesday in a key speech on the economy, while reports last week said the expansion of Gatwick and Luton airports was set to go ahead. receive government support.
An easyJet spokesperson said it had “no plans to fly from London City Airport”.
“We remain very focused on opening our tenth UK base in London Southend this spring. »
The CAA request also comes two months after it was reported that the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), one of the world’s largest pension funds, was considering the sale of its interests in London City and other airport assets which it partly owns in the United Kingdom and Europe.
London City Airport declined to comment on the submission of its application to the CAA.