Sunday, August 25, 2024 London City Airport, strategically situated to the east of central London, is set to undergo significant expansion. This development will increase its annual passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million, aligning with approvals from the Department for Transport.
Additionally, it will introduce three new early morning flights during weekdays. Despite its smaller size with just 15 gates distributed in two wings, London City Airport catered to 3.4 million travelers last year—a stark contrast to the 79 million passengers at Heathrow Airport, London’s largest.
The airport, known for its convenience due to its proximity to the city center, has seen a gradual increase in passenger traffic post-pandemic, though it has not yet returned to its 2019 peak of 5.1 million passengers. Currently, London City Airport offers routes to over two dozen destinations throughout the UK and Europe, supported by major airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM.
Despite the expansion, there will be no extension in operating hours; the airport will continue to operate from 4:45 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 4:45 am to 1 pm on Saturdays, and from 10:45 am to 10 pm on Sundays. London is served by six major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, and Southend, enhancing its status as a vital international air travel hub..