Steep Approaches OK, Noise Remains Within Limits

ATR has received approval from London City Airport (LCY) officials to operate its ATR 72-500 turboprops from the downtown airport, after the aircraft successfully completed steep-approach trials and noise tests.

According to the LCY specific requirements due to the presence of obstacles, ATR has demonstrated the ability of the ATR 72-500 to approach the airport at 5.5 degrees downslope, while also complying with the airport's strict noise limitations. The ATR 72-500 joins the ATR 42-300 and the ATR 42-500, which are already approved to operate at LCY.

On Tuesday, Irish carrier Aer Arann became the first operator of the ATR 72-500 aircraft at the London City Airport, with inaugural flights from and to the Isle of Man.

"We are proud to see that both the ATR 42 and the ATR 72 are now approved to operate in such a unique airport," said Luigi Lombardi, ATR SVP Operations. "We are also very pleased to contribute to the preservation of the environment in London with aircraft featuring very clear advantages in terms of CO2 and noise emissions."

Paul Schütz, Chief Executive of Aer Arann, added "The introduction of the ATR 72-500 was a major element in our plans to offer a high quality product on this key business and leisure route. The standards of comfort, the quiet interior and the environmentally friendly performance of the aircraft mean that it is ideally suited to our regional air transport business model."

FMI: www.atraircraft.com, www.londoncityairport.com/