Business aircraft management, charter, and maintenance firm Nomad Aviation has been granted approval to operate its Cessna Citation CJ2+ and CJ3+ into London City Airport (LCY). The company was permitted to start operating there from February 1 based on its crews and aircraft complying with the steep approach rules at LCY.
London City Airport is located in the Royal Docks some 6 nm east of the UK capital’s main financial district, and very close to the Canary Wharf business area. It has a single 4,900-foot east-west runway and requires 5.5-degree approaches and departures for obstacle clearance at both ends.
“It’s the closest and most convenient airport for easy access to London’s financial district,” said Nomad, which has offices at Zurich-Kloten and Basel in Switzerland, as well as in Sliema, Malta.
“Our London City approval marks yet another milestone, allowing us to provide our charter clients with a competitive advantage,” said Christoph Thurnherr, vice-president aircraft management and sales for Nomad Aviation.
“London City airport features some of the most restrictive steep approach and noise abatement regulations in aviation,” the company noted. “Flight crews and aircraft require special certification and training to operate [there]. Nomad Aviation’s crews and Cessna Citation CJ1+/CJ2+ aircraft have met these rigorous requirements.”
Both aircraft are operated through Nomad Aviation’s Swiss AOC “and are therefore fully available for charter,” the company added.
Nomad operates everything from light jets to bizliners, including the Embraer Legacy 600/650; Bombardier Challenger 604, CRJ100, and Global 5000; Gulfstream G450 and G650; and Airbus ACJ319.
A searchable list of the operators and their aircraft approved to use the airport is listed in the London City Airport website. This includes many business aircraft including Cessna Citations, Embraer Legacy 600s, Dassault Falcon aircraft up to the 7X, Bombardier Challenger 605 and Hawker 900XP.
Gulfstream carried out trials with the G650/G650ER last year, but as yet there are no individual G650s on the approved list. The Challenger 350 type received steep approach approval from Transport Canada last year, with validation by EASA expected to pave the way for possible use at LCY.
Once a manufacturer has given approval in the airplane flight manual for steep approach operations, approval must be gained from the regulator where the airport is located. In the case of LCY, this is EASA and the relevant provision is EU-OPS 1.515a(3) Steep Approach Procedures, and the Appendix to 1.515a(3).
London City Airport has various airline operators using the main terminal and has a dedicated Private Jet Centre, although it has limited parking.