London City Airport: Lcy's Unique Role In Aviation

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the City of London and 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Canary Wharf. LCY is easily accessible by Tube, bus, or taxi and is the closest airport to central London. The airport is served by London Buses services 473 and 474, and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects the airport to Canary Wharf, the City of London, and Stratford International and Woolwich Arsenal stations.

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, London

London City Airport is the closest airport to central London, located just 9.5km (6 miles) east of the city centre. It is one of the most accessible airports in London, with quick and easy arrivals and departures. The airport has a single, two-storey passenger terminal building with 18 gates, all hardstands. The ground floor contains check-in desks, passport control, baggage reclaim, customs, and service facilities, while the first floor houses the security control, departure lounge, shops, bars, and cafes.

The airport was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, the Chief Executive of the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), and was developed by the engineering company Mowlem between 1986 and 1987. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the airport in November 1987. London City Airport has a single 1,508-metre-long (4,948 ft) runway and is about 60 hectares (150 acres) in size as of 2020. It is the fifth-busiest airport serving the London area, with over 5.1 million passenger movements in 2019.

The airport has stringent rules to limit noise impact from aircraft operations and has strict restrictions on the types of aircraft that can operate due to the physical dimensions of the runway and the steep glideslope. London City Airport is primarily used by business travellers with destinations such as Luxembourg and Frankfurt, although leisure destinations like Palma de Mallorca and Málaga have also increased in recent years. The airport is at its busiest during the winter months when airlines offer flights to ski resort gateway destinations.

LCY is about 6 miles from the City of London and 3 miles from Canary Wharf

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the heart of London, just 6 miles from the City of London and 3 miles from Canary Wharf. LCY is the closest airport to central London and is easily accessible by public transport, car, or taxi. The airport is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham and is about 6 miles east of the City of London, which is the financial centre of London. Canary Wharf, another major financial centre, is just 3 miles away from the airport.

The airport is served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects LCY to Canary Wharf and the City of London. The DLR departs every 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the destination. Passengers can also take the Elizabeth line for a fast track to the airport. The airport is located in fare Zone 3 and provides easy connections to other parts of the Transport for London (TfL) network.

In terms of road access, LCY is conveniently located near the A1020 and A112 roads, which provide fast links to Canning Town, the City of London, and Stratford. The airport has both short-term and long-term car parks, with the farthest car park just a 7-minute walk from the terminal.

LCY is also accessible by bus, with local bus routes 473 and 474 serving the airport. Additionally, taxis are readily available at the airport's taxi rank, providing metered fares to passengers.

London City Airport is the perfect choice for travellers looking for a convenient and accessible airport in the heart of London. With its proximity to the city's financial centres and excellent transport connections, LCY offers a seamless travel experience for business and leisure travellers alike.

The airport has a single 1,508-metre-long runway

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the City of London and 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Canary Wharf. LCY is the closest airport to central London and is easily accessible by public transport, car, or taxi. The airport has a single runway that is 1,508 metres long (4,948 ft) and a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P728) that allows flights for public transport and training purposes. The runway has a steep glideslope of 5.5 degrees, which is steeper than the standard slope of 3.0 degrees found at most European airports. This, along with stringent noise restrictions, limits the types of aircraft that can use the airport. Only multi-engine, fixed-wing aircraft up to the size of the Embraer E195-E2, Airbus A220, and A318 are allowed to operate at LCY, and they must have special certifications to meet the strict noise limitations.

The airport's proximity to Central London and the tight operating restrictions mean that only certain aircraft can utilise the runway. The runway's length and the airport's overall complexity, including the lack of taxiways, result in a busy environment during peak hours, with air traffic controllers handling over 38 flights per hour. Operations are restricted to specific time frames throughout the week, with the busiest period being Monday to Friday, 06:30 to 22:30. The airport is not available for use by single-engine aircraft or helicopters, and recreational flights and single-pilot operations are not permitted.

The first aircraft landed at London City Airport on May 31, 1987, with the first commercial services operating from October 26, 1987. The airport has since expanded, with an extended runway and improved infrastructure. In 2019, LCY handled over 5.1 million passengers, making it the fifth-busiest airport in the London area by passenger and aircraft movements. The airport serves over 30 exciting destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, and Dublin.

LCY is accessible by Tube, bus, taxi, car, or town car

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the City of London and 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Canary Wharf. LCY is easily accessible by Tube, bus, taxi, car, or town car.

The airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which is part of the London Underground network. The DLR connects LCY to Canning Town, Stratford, and Bank stations, with services running every 4 to 10 minutes. The DLR is also wheelchair accessible, with lifts, escalators, or ramps available at every station.

Local bus routes serving LCY include the 473 (to Stratford, Silvertown, North Woolwich, and Prince Regent DLR station) and the 474 (to Canning Town, North Woolwich, and East Beckton via Silvertown). Bus journeys cost £1.55 and can be paid for using an Oyster card, a contactless payment card, or a mobile payment method.

Taxis are also readily available at LCY, with a taxi rank located outside the terminal. The cost of the journey is metered and displayed inside the cab. It is recommended to only use licensed black cabs or reputable minicab companies.

If you prefer to drive, LCY offers both short-term and long-term car parking options, all within walking distance of the terminal. The airport can be easily accessed via the A1020 and A112 roads, which provide fast links to nearby areas such as Canning Town and Stratford.

Additionally, town car services are available for those who prefer a private transfer to or from the airport.

The airport is located in fare Zone 3

London City Airport (LCY) is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the City of London and 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Canary Wharf. It is the closest airport to central London and is easily accessible by public transport, car, or taxi. The airport is located in fare Zone 3 and can be accessed via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects to central London and other Transport for London (TfL) network lines such as the Elizabeth line, London Overground, and London Underground. The DLR trains depart every 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the destination.

London City Airport is also accessible by bus, with local bus routes 473 and 474 serving the airport. These bus routes connect the airport to destinations such as Stratford, Silvertown, North Woolwich, and East Beckton. The bus journey costs £1.55 and can be paid using an Oyster card, a contactless payment card, or a mobile payment method.

For those travelling by car, London City Airport is served by the A1020 and A112 roads, providing fast links to nearby areas such as Canning Town, the City of London, and Stratford. The airport offers both short-term and long-term car parking options, with the farthest car park just a seven-minute walk from the terminal.

Additionally, taxis are readily available at the airport's taxi rank, providing metered fares to various destinations. It is important to only use licensed black cabs or reputable minicab companies and avoid unauthorised drivers. The airport's website provides a price comparison tool for quotes on minicab fares.

Frequently asked questions