AirportsLondon City Airport opens consultation on A320neo operations
London City Airport has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce a revised approach procedure that would allow the Airbus A320neo to operate at the airport.
The proposal forms part of an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) submitted to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and would introduce a 4.49-degree approach, replacing the current 5.5-degree steep approach requirement. The airport said the change would not alter existing flight paths.
Under current procedures, only aircraft such as the Embraer E-Jets and the Airbus A220 are certified to operate the 5.5-degree approach into the centrally located airport. The A320neo, which typically seats around 180 passengers, cannot currently use the runway due to the steeper descent profile.
London City argues that enabling the A320neo would increase passenger capacity without raising the number of annual flight movements, in line with its recently approved passenger cap of 9 million per year, up from 6.5 million. Government approval granted in August 2024 did not authorize additional flights or new infrastructure, leaving larger aircraft as the primary option to accommodate growth.
Airport assessments state that newer-generation aircraft such as the A320neo could reduce fuel burn, carbon emissions and overall flight numbers over a 12-year period, while supporting up to 4,000 additional jobs. The airport also says the aircraft’s efficiency could contribute to lower overall noise exposure compared with maintaining current fleet types and frequencies.
“Our proposals would allow us to grow more sustainably by reducing the number of flights and the level of noise people would experience when compared with not making this change,” said chief executive Alison FitzGerald. “By enabling quieter and more efficient aircraft to operate at London City Airport, we can deliver the benefits of growth while lessening the impact on those who live nearby.”
However, the Aviation Environment Federation has questioned the scale of potential noise benefits. In a recent study, the group said any reduction compared with the Embraer E190 would be marginal and warned that increased use of the A320neo could expand the overall fleet operating at the airport.
The report stated that noise data suggests the A320neo could be louder than other new-generation aircraft at the proposed approach angles and that implementing the airspace change could increase local noise impacts.
Even if the CAA approves the revised approach, the A320neo would require certification for operations at London City and dedicated crew training before entering service.
The consultation runs from March 2 to May 17 and includes in-person events, online webinars and access to technical documentation related to the proposal.
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