London, UK, 2014-1-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — London City Airport [LCY] has reported record passenger numbers for 2013, making it the most successful year since the airport opened in 1987.
LCY, the only airport actually in London, welcomed just under 3.4 million passengers in the last twelve months, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2012.
An increase in routes served, frequency of services, seat capacity and consistently increased demand have all contributed to this outstanding performance.
The figures top off an exciting year at LCY, which has seen it outlining ambitious growth plans and highlighting its ability to handle more short-haul traffic, thereby relieving pressure on other, capacity constrained, airports.
Declan Collier, CEO of London City Airport said: “Achieving significant growth in what has been a relatively flat market is a real accomplishment and demonstrates just how much value our core business traveller audience places on convenience, speed and location – all key benefits of flying to and from LCY. We believe that, with our development plans for the future and the predicted airport capacity crunch, further growth opportunities are there for the taking.
“In the short term, London City Airport can make an immediate contribution to relieving the UK’s existing airport capacity constraints by accommodating more short-haul traffic. For example, 15% of Heathrow’s traffic is short-haul and 64% of passengers carried are O&D (origin and destination) who would be better served flying into LCY.
“In the medium term, our proposed development plans will enhance existing infrastructure to allow the airport to cater for our permitted 120,000 flight movements (70,000 in 2013) and an additional 3 million passengers per year (6 million by 2023) – some 10 per cent of the projected passenger increase in the London airport system over the next 10 years.
“All of these things, along with a renewed commitment from our biggest airline partner, British Airways, to grow with us will make 2014 and beyond exciting times for London City Airport.”
The airport’s proposed growth plans will develop existing infrastructure to accommodate up to 120,000 movements annually and cater for next generation aircraft. The development programme will see the construction of a parallel taxilane to optimise use of the runway, seven new aircraft stands an expansion of the existing terminal and a new, separate arrivals terminal.
British Airways has announced that it will introduce three new Embraer 190 aircraft to its fleet at LCY in 2014, launching two new routes in March, with more likely to follow.
Editors note
A total of 3,381,000 passengers used London City Airport in 2013. London City Airport (LCY) is the only airport situated in London itself, just three miles from Canary Wharf, seven miles from the City and 10 miles from London’s West End and linked to all via the Docklands Light Railway. Catering for around 3.4 million passengers (63% travelling on business) and 70,000 movements annually, in 2013 LCY celebrated 26 years of operation. The airport offers a unique rapid transit proposition – a short check in (door to lounge) of around 20 minutes, and a shorter arrival (tarmac to train) of around 15 minutes. 10 airlines fly out of LCY, serving 47 mainly European destinations, eight of which were new for 2013. The airport has permission to increase its operation to 120,000 movements per annum, carrying 6 million passengers, which it intends to do by 2023. Further information about the airport and its services can be found by browsing our website.
Further information
Please contact Charlotte Beeching, External Communications Manager,
London City Airport. Tel: 0207 646 0132.
Email: charlotte.beeching@londoncityairport.com
###
London City Airport overhead view