London City Airport targets leisure market with A320neo move
London City Airport targets leisure market with A320neo move
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London's fifth-biggest airport will this week submit an application to aviation regulators that could enable it to capture a bigger slice of the leisure travel market. Sky News has learnt that London City will on Monday table a bid to alter the take-off and landing gradients used by aircraft flying into and out of the airport - a move that would accommodate the Airbus's A320neo jet.
The application will be made formally to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), industry sources said. The A320neo is used by airlines including easyJet and WizzAir, which principally serve the leisure market rather than business travellers. Whitehall sources said that Alison FitzGerald, London City's chief executive, had written to the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, late last week to inform her of its plans.
The airport's move comes about six months after it was granted permission by the government to increase passenger numbers from 6.5 million annually to 9 million, while being denied the opportunity to extend its Saturday operating hours. In her letter to the chancellor - which has been seen by Sky News - Ms FitzGerald described its CAA application as "a growth-enhancing initiative".
Reeves to seek billions for growth from corporate pension surpluses. WH Smith in secret talks to sell historic high street arm. Money blog: Incredible fried chicken, the 'perfect' brunch and a Michelin toastie: Eight cheap recipes from UK's best chefs. "We will be seeking approval to introduce a new flight procedure (RNP AR) which would allow the Airbus A320neo to operate," she wrote.
