Airlines holding back on plans

Plans to increase the number of flight slots from 80,000 to 120,000 at the Docklands airfield were approved by Newham Council last Wednesday.

However, the economic crisis has led to a number leading airlines taking a cautious approach to expansion and City is not immune to economic pressures.

One of the major airlines which uses the airport – British Airways – has already played down the chances of increasing its flights in the next few months.

BA’s business and commercial manager for City Airport Patrick Gruppo said: “We are looking at the markets with great interest but there are no initial plans to expand. The way I see it is we will look for opportunities but it’s doubtful there will be much movement.

“Our expansion plans are more long-term.�

However, BA does have plans to launch its transatlantic route to New York later next year from City, which Mr Gruppo said this is still on track.

VLM Airlines is also unlikely to make a move for some time. It is being taken over by Air France, which hinders any expansion plans.

The Office of Fair Trading is looking into the potential of a VLM monopoly over routes between City to Amsterdam, which is holding up the deal although both parties are confident of a positive outcome.

Swiss International Air Lines is adding an extra flight to Zurich from City later this month. However, this was agreed before the expansion plans were approved.

The airline’s general manager for UK and Ireland Gregor Koncilja said it was now a case of filling capacity before more flights were considered.

He said: “In the short-term we should be covered.

“Forward bookings are promising despite the financial crisis, so there is potential for more flights from City to Zurich but the first priority will be to fill up the 18 flights to Switzerland.�

The airline is also developing plans to use Zurich for transfers and expansions out of the Swiss city which is likely to increased flights from City in the long term.

Although hoping for a gradual rise to capacity by 2010, the airport’s bosses are also not expecting much take up for flight slots for the rest of this year.