FEATURE London City Airport Overview
Friday 30th May 2008
Welcome to another feature from Compare Airport Parking this time looking at London City Airport. London City Airport is a very different airport to many other is the UK and we will be looking at these differences and examining every aspect of the airport.
Overview
Modern day London City Airport
London City Airport has a single runway and is designed to accommodate STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft. The airport mainly serves the financial areas of London and is located very close to the former Docklands area.
Airport History
The idea for London City Airport was first conceived in 1981 by Ward who was the Chief Executive of the new London Docklands Development Corporation. His idea was developed with the assistane of Sir Phillip Beck who was the chairman of John Mowlem & Co. plc. and as a result the plans for the London City Airport were drawn out.
The proposals for the London City Airport were submitted in November 1981, and in 1982 the tests for the new site were successful after a Dash 7 aircraft was landed on the proposed site to illustrate the feasibility of the area for landing commercial aircraft.
Several problems had to be overcome before the construction could take place and after many ranglings over planning permission and also a public enquiry the construction commenced in 1986. The construction process was given a high profile due to the Prince of Wales laying the first stone in the terminal building and the Royals returned soon after when the Queen opened London City Airport in November 1987.
There were several improvements made to London City Airport in 2003 including an extension of the runway and turning loop as well as modifications to one of the airports aprons.
London City Airport dealt with over 1.9 million passengers in 2005 and has recently met its own costs. The future target for London City Airport is 5 million passengers per year, a number the current facilities are projected to be able to handle as local development provides more passengers and development potential for the airport.
Airport Facilities
Food and Drink
London City Airport has several eateries located in various parts of the terminal building;
Terminal Building Before Security
The EAT restaurant. Selling soup, coffee and many other drinks and meals the aim is value for money and with over 75 stores nationwide you are sure of a good quality meal.
The Coffee Corner Wine and Tapas Bar is located on the ground floor of the terminal where you can find hot and cold snacks and drinks.
The Meridian Line Restaurant can be found on the first floor of the terminal and is open to passengers and non-passengers. You will find a fine selection of food available for reasonable prices.
The Departure Lounge
The Caffe Nero coffee shop has a lovely relaxing atmosphere and great quality coffee, why not pop in for a cup if you have time?
Trattoria serves both breakfast and lunch meals with lunch being a selection of pastas and seafood specialising in Italian dishes.
Shopping
There are shops in the London City Airport terminal building that have been listed below;
Hughes and Hughes
Nuance
Travelex
World News
Other Terminal Facilities
Bureau de change - Travelex operate the airports bureau de change and you will find three in the terminal building.
Car Hire - Avis, Europcar and Hertz car hire facilities are all available at the airport located on the ground floor of the concourse.
Cash Machines - Cash machines can be found in the main terminal concourse where you will find two. The departure lounge also has a machine along with one in the arrivals hall that accept all major cards.
Check-in desks - The check-in desks are located on the ground floor of the terminal concourse.
Information Desk - When entering the airport terminal building the airport information desk is on your left.
Internet Access - Internet access is available in pods located opposite Bewleys Coffee Shop in the main terminal concourse.
Lost Property - Please report or enquire about lost property at the main information desk located by the main entrance.
Left Luggage - If you wish to use the left luggage facility then please enquire at the information desk by the terminal main entrance. For information regarding lost property of left luggage please telephone 020 7646 0000/88.
Shoe Shine Service - The shoe shine service is located on the ground floor of the main terminal building that offer shoe shining, repairs and accessories.
Postal Service - You will find a post box by the main entrance of the terminal building and stamps may be purchased from the World News shop in the terminal building.
Telephones - You will find several payphones that are both coin and card operated throughout the terminal building.
Disabled Facilities
Parking - The airport has parking allocated for disabled persons close to the London City Airport terminal building
Wheelchair access - All areas of the terminal building are easily accessed by wheelchairs
Aircraft Assistance - Assistance is available to aid the boarding of the aircraft, however London City Airport requests that passengers telephone their airline prior to arrival to ensure that the facilities are in place.
Airport Transportation
London City Airport has excellent transport links with the financial centres of London as well as Canary Wharf. These areas can be reached via the Docklands light railway and the London Underground.
Bus services from and to the airport are plentiful with routes 473 and 474 running to East London locations from the airport. There are unfortunately no longer any express shuttle buses as they were withdrawn when the DLR route was constructed. Parking is no problem at the airport with long and short term car parks available and all are within a short walk of the airport. You can alos find taxis located near the airport main entrance. If you would like short or long stay car parking then why not have a look at Compare Airport Parking's prices, you can get a quote in seconds on the London City Airport Parking page here.
