London city airport launches flights to new york

Charles Buchanan, the airport’s strategy and communications director, told The Wharf: “It’s been in the offing for some time but needed some creative and determined thought on behalf of an operator. “We had spoken to a number of airlines but BA was the airline which went for it.”

It is early days with no date set for launch or ticket prices announced, but both the airline and the Royal Docks airport were keen to announce the news last week.

The flights, operated on Airbus 318s, will be the first City Airport has launched outside Europe, but Mr Buchanan said it did not signal a move towards more long-haul services.

“It’s a one-off specialist route with a small volume of people – just 32 seats – per departure each day,” he said. “It’s a small niche operation but a very spectacular service for the financial industries.

“New York is the second most important city – behind London – and it seemed natural to link it to the heart of London. BA will be producing a business-like service for the sort of passengers who have high demand of quality.”

The new route is up against Heathrow’s flights to New York and business-class flights by Eos from Stansted Airport.

However, Mr Buchanan said the benefit of a short trip to London’s financial centres puts City Airport ahead of the competition.

“The product offering from here is substantially different, we’re just 10 minutes from Canary Wharf,” he said.

One drawback to the route is that the leg from City Airport will have to make a short stop en-route for refuelling as runway restrictions mean planes cannot leave with a full tank from the Docklands airport.

Shannon Airport is believed to be favoured but Mr Buchanan said nothing has been
decided and the destination of the stop will be down to BA.

Story by Rob Virtue
rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk