Mon, May 22, 2006
The A318 successfully demonstrated
its suitability to operate from London City Airport, which is
situated in the heart of central London. With its short runway and
strict noise restrictions, the use of London City Airport - until
now - has been limited to only small regional jets and
turboprop-powered aircraft.
The smallest member of Airbus' aircraft family, the A318, flew
into London's City Airport for the first time on May 13. It
successfully carried out a series of technical tests as part of a
programme to demonstrate its suitability to operate at the
airport.
The aircraft spent around one and a half hours at the airport,
being tested by both Airbus and airport mechanics and engineers.
The successful completion of the tests means the aircraft would
become the first mainline jet able to operate from the airport.
Due to the shortness of the airport's runway, aircraft operating
at London City must be able to demonstrate 'steep approach'
capability - in other words, an approach at up to 7.5 degrees, 4.5
degrees higher than the usual 3 degree approach at classic-length
runways. The A318 was granted steep approach certification in March
of this year.
Situated in the heart of central London, City Airport is popular
with business travellers looking for quick flights to other major
destinations in Europe. The type of aircraft able to operate at the
airport is limited by the short runway and noise restrictions that
are among the strictest in the UK. Currently only small regional
aircraft and turboprops can serve the airport.
Operating the A318 from London City would mean that destinations
currently out of the range of these smaller aircraft, throughout
Europe and North Africa, would become easily reachable. The A318
'Elite' corporate jet would be able to fly even further, such as to
Dubai in the Middle East.
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