Owais Crawford
London City Airport is an international airport located in the heart of London's Docklands area. It is situated in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about six miles east of the City of London and three miles east of Canary Wharf. The airport was built on the site of the King George V Dock in 1986-1987 and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 5 November 1987. The airport has seen steady growth in passenger numbers and is known for its fast and efficient service, catering mainly to business travellers with convenient access to London's financial centres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Royal Docks, Borough of Newham, London |
| Built on | Former dockland site, King George V Dock |
| Built by | Mowlem |
| Year of construction | 1986-1987 |
| Year officially opened | 1987 |
| Owner | AIMCo, OMERS, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Wren House Infrastructure Management |
| Size | 60 hectares (150 acres) |
| Runway length | 1,508 metres |
| Passenger movements | 3.57 million (2024) |
| Ranking | 5th busiest airport in London, 14th busiest in the UK (2017) |
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What You'll Learn
London City Airport was built in 1986-1987
The idea for London City Airport was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, the Chief Executive of the newly formed London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). Ward discussed the idea with Sir Philip Beck, the Chairman of John Mowlem & Co, and an airport for Docklands was envisioned. An opinion poll published in October 1981 showed that many local residents were in favour of the proposal, and Mowlem submitted an application for planning permission.
The airport was constructed on the site of the former King George V Dock, which was one of the three royal docks constructed between 1850 and 1921. The dock closed in 1981 as modern cargo container ships became too big for it and the other royal docks to accommodate. The site of the former dock provided a new type of infrastructure for the capital when the airport opened.
London City Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements since its opening. In 1992, the runway was extended by 428 metres to allow larger aircraft to operate, and in 1994-95, a new pier with six additional stands for aircraft parking was built. The terminal building has also been enlarged, with the addition of a new departure lounge, check-in desks, and baggage reclaim areas. The airport has seen steady growth in passenger numbers over the years, serving mainly business travellers with convenient access to the financial centres of London.
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It was developed by engineering company Mowlem
London City Airport was built between 1986 and 1987 by the engineering company Mowlem on a former dockland site that was once part of the Port of London. The airport officially opened on 5 November 1987, with commercial services commencing in October of that year.
The idea for an airport in the Docklands area was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, the Chief Executive of the newly formed London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). Ward discussed the proposal with Sir Philip Beck, the chairman of John Mowlem & Co, and the idea for an airport was born. Mowlem then played a key role in the development of the airport, submitting an outline proposal for a Docklands STOLport city centre gateway, along with Bill Bryce of Brymon Airways, to the LDDC in 1982.
To demonstrate the feasibility of the project, Captain Harry Gee of Brymon Airways landed a de Havilland Canada Dash 7 turboprop aircraft on Heron Quays in the nearby West India Docks in June 1982. This stunt aimed to show that a short take-off and landing airport could work on the site. Later that year, an opinion poll found that a majority of local residents were in favour of the development, and Mowlem submitted an application for planning permission.
A 63-day public planning inquiry was held in 1983, and the proposal was approved in 1984, with construction beginning in 1985. The airport was built on the site of the King George V Dock, which had been a major engineering project and a significant centre of trade and employment when it opened in 1911. However, by 1981, the dock had closed as modern cargo container ships had become too big for it to handle. The site provided an opportunity to create a new type of infrastructure for the capital, and London City Airport has since become a vital hub for business travellers, offering efficient services and convenient access to the financial centres of London.
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The airport is located on a former dockland site
London City Airport was built on a former dockland site, the King George V Dock, which was once part of the Port of London. The dock was constructed in 1911 and took 10 years to build, employing 900 workers. It was an important centre of trade and employment, big enough to accommodate the world's largest ocean-going ships, including the 790ft (241m) liner RMS Mauretania. However, by 1981, the dock had closed as modern cargo container ships became too big for it and the other royal docks to handle.
The idea for an airport on the Docklands site was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, the Chief Executive of the newly formed London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). Ward discussed the proposal with Sir Philip Beck, the chairman of John Mowlem & Co. An opinion poll published in October 1981 showed that many local residents were in favour of the proposal, and Mowlem submitted an application for planning permission.
In June 1982, pilot Harry Gee landed a de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 turboprop aircraft on Heron Quays in the nearby West India Docks to demonstrate the feasibility of a short take-off and landing airport on the site. Planning permission for London City Airport was granted in May 1985, and construction began three months later, with Prince Charles laying the foundation stone of the terminal building. The airport was built between 1986 and 1987 by the engineering company Mowlem and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 5 November 1987.
The airport is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, about six miles (ten kilometres) east of the City of London and three miles (five kilometres) east of Canary Wharf, the two centres of London's financial industry. The airport's proximity to these business districts has made it a popular hub for business travellers, contributing to the efficiency of the capital's financial centres.
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It's mainly used by business travellers
London City Airport was built on the site of the former King George V Dock in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, East London, between 1986 and 1987. The airport was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 5 November 1987.
The airport is mainly used by business travellers who require convenient access to London's financial centres, such as the City of London and Canary Wharf. These two districts are the centres of London's financial industry and are located just 6 and 3 miles, respectively, from the airport. The airport's proximity to these business hubs gives international arrivals unparalleled access to the British capital's central business districts.
London City Airport is known for its fast and efficient service, with a minimum check-in time of 20 minutes and a minimum connection time of 15 minutes. The airport has a single 1,508-metre runway and offers flights to over 40 destinations across Europe and beyond. The airport has seen steady growth in passenger numbers, reaching a record high of 5.1 million in 2019.
The airport's location in the heart of London's Docklands area means that it is especially popular among business travellers. The Docklands area was subject to an extensive urban regeneration project in the 1980s, of which the construction of the airport was a part. The airport's development transformed a former dockland site, once an important centre of trade and employment, into a vital hub for business travellers.
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The airport has been expanded and upgraded over the years
London City Airport has undergone significant expansion and upgrades since its construction in the 1980s. The airport was built on the site of the former King George V Dock in the Royal Docks of London, and it has continued to develop and expand its infrastructure over the years to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and a growing range of destinations.
One of the earliest upgrades came in 1992 when the runway was extended by 428 metres, allowing larger aircraft such as BAe-146 jets to operate at the airport. This was a crucial development, as the airport's original 1,080-metre runway had restricted it to small planes capable of short take-offs and landings. The extension stretched the runway to 1,508 metres, enabling the airport to accommodate more aircraft and contributing to its growth.
The airport continued to expand and enhance its facilities in the following years. Between 1994 and 1995, a new pier was constructed, providing six additional stands for aircraft parking. In 2002-2003, the terminal building was enlarged with the addition of a new departure lounge, check-in desks, and a baggage reclaim area. The terminal building was further expanded in 2008-2009, with the inclusion of more security lanes, retail outlets, and catering facilities to enhance the passenger experience.
London City Airport also focused on improving safety and efficiency. In 2016-2017, the airport upgraded its runway lighting system and installed new navigational aids. Additionally, a major redevelopment project was completed in 2019-2020, which included constructing a new passenger pier with eight additional stands for aircraft parking and building a parallel taxiway to reduce runway occupancy.
The airport has also invested in improving ground transportation links. In 1998, the Docklands Light Railway was proposed, and in 2000, the Jubilee Line opened to passengers, providing better connectivity to the airport. In preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the airport terminal received a £7 million investment to further enhance its infrastructure.
London City Airport has consistently adapted and expanded its facilities to meet the demands of its growing passenger numbers and to offer improved services. The airport's evolution from a docklands airstrip to a modern terminal serving millions of passengers annually demonstrates its commitment to development and its vital role in London's infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
London City Airport was built between 1986 and 1987 on a former dockland site.
London City Airport was developed by the engineering company Mowlem.
London City Airport was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 5 November 1987.
The airport's first arrival was in May 1987, with commercial services commencing in October 1987.
London City Airport was first proposed in 1981 by Reg Ward, Chief Executive of the London Docklands Development Corporation.
