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BA returns to fray at City Airport with 11 jets
22.12.08
British Airways took the dogfight over East London to new levels today after it announced the £240 million acquisition of 11 new state-of-the-art jets for City Airport.
After arch-rival Air France became the biggest operator at the Docklands terminal by buying VLM, the British flag carrier - a late convert to London City - is fighting back.
BA said it is buying six 86-seater Embraer 170s and five Embraer 190s capable of carrying up to 100 passengers.
The aircraft made by the Brazilian specialist jetmaker Embraer have become known as E-jets, among the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world.
The new aircraft are to replace ageing British Aerospace-made Avro RJ aircraft.
The Embraer 170 is reckoned to be 56% more fuel-efficient, while a revolutionary fuselage design means passengers can be housed four abreast.
The aircraft will be flown on routes to Scotland, Ireland and Europe.
"This significant investment in new aircraft further demonstrates BA's commitment to services into and out of London City for our customers," said Peter Simpson of BA's CityFlyer operation.
BA exited the regional jet business for the most part last year, offloading its heavy loss-making operation to FlyBe.
Reader views (7)
I lived directly opposite City Airport for nearly 6 months last year and I did not find it a problem at all. I think City are a very good neighbor. As for the environmental nonsense spouted by whingers like JD of East London - my advice to them all is book a cheap flying holiday to somewhere warm and get over it! By any measure air transoport has a miniscule effect, period.
- Jeff, Hobart, Australia
Bravo BA .. The E Jets are excellent choices to replace the 80's era BAe jets .. another excellent choice would be the Q400 .. at least as "green" as the E Jets .. even more cost efficient ..
- Todd St Clair, Toronto, Canada
Unfortunately British Aerospace did not have the vision to keep developing the BAe146/AvroRJ-it was originally conceived as a quiet, short take-off and landing feeder liner for just such places as LCY (City Airport)-nearly 300 were produced and it's a superb design, but that's academic as production has stopped. Now we have had to regress to inferior types which will do nothing to ease the problem of uncontrolled aviation expansion, and which are bound to cause more annoyance to local residents in Docklands who were originally promised that only the 146 would operate there.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
@ Sandy
Heathrow traffic is well above London City traffic so no conflict there. Helicopters have to route along the Thames heli lanes and be in contact with controllers in case they have to orbit to allow aircraft in/out of LCY.
@JD
I live on the LCY flight path and I can honestly say I don't notice any pollution, only if you live very close to the airport will you get any fumes.
Before you demonise aviation you may like to know that air transport accounts for only 1.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Power, industry, agriculture and other transport account for at least 14% each, but then they're not so easy to protest about.
- Paul, London
These E-jets are great planes, no middle seat and none of that puny luggage space over the wings that you have in the Avro RJ. As for City Airport, I'd rather they close down Heathrow than City with its half hour check-in and easy transit times. I'm sure the air traffic controllers have it covered Sandy!
- Christopher, London
1.British Airways DON'T say that they are YET to receive approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly the polluting jets out of London City Airport. The Jets HAVE to meet noise restrictions and we have not seen any notification from the CAA that they have approved the jets operation.
2. BA's Peter Simpson claims the new Embraer is helping them to meet 'environmental objectives'. This is utter NONSENSE when BA are INCREASING flights.
BA claim that the Embraer will improve C02 emissions by UP TO 56%. The trouble is that London City Airport has had a 50% increase in the amount of flights approved by Newham Council - despite the appalling environmental effects on East Londoners.
- Jd, East London
Canary Wharf is on the Heathrow flight path that cut's across the lower altitude approach of City Airport. Along with an increasing number of flights in and out of City Airport, Military flights of Greenwich barracks and private civilian flights it is only a matter of time before there is a huge disaster over East London, a highly concentrated urban area and strangley Transport Minister is the local MP - Jim Fitzpatrick.
- Sandy, London
