Type Becomes Largest Aircraft to Land at Iconic Airport

An Embraer aircraft departed the Farnborough Airshow and proceeded to London’s rather unimaginatively monikered London City Airport (LCY) where it landed without incident. The story seems an utter bore and deserving of no mention whatsoever until one takes into account the facts that London City Airport’s runway is a scant 4,947-feet long, and the aircraft in question was a 135,000-pound, 146-seat, E195-E2—the largest of Embraer’s E-Jet family of twin-engine, narrow-body airliners.

The feat—which approximated a draft-horse galloping to a dead-stop atop a balance-beam—was undertaken to demonstrate the E195-E2’s steep approach capability in anticipation of the type’s upcoming EASA certification to conduct steep approach into London City.

The E195-E2 that landed at London City operated on a 39% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Formerly, Embraer and Pratt & Whitney successfully tested an E195-E2 aircraft on 100% sustainable aviation fuel, thereby reducing the aircraft’s emissions by an impressive 85%.

London City Airport Chief Operation Officer Alison FitzGerald said of the event: “The arrival of the E195-E2 signals that we are on the cusp of welcoming more new generation aircraft that provide world class environmental performance, carry more passengers, and have the potential to connect this airport with more global markets. This moment also represents the strength of the partnership we have with Embraer, and together, we are pushing the envelope of what’s possible at this airport, as at 146 seats and a wingspan of 35 meters, it [the E195-E2] will be comfortably the largest aircraft to operate from LCY.”

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation remarked: “London City feels like home for Embraer. It’s a great airport, not just because it’s fast and efficient for passengers to travel through, but because its unique challenges as an airfield demonstrate the excellent performance of our E-Jets. We are immensely proud to be the dominant aircraft brand at LCY, and look forward to seeing scheduled services begin with the E195-E2.” 

In September 2021, Embraer’s E190-E2 commenced commercial flights into London City Airport with operators such as Helvetic Airways. Scheduled service of the E190-E2 followed the type’s June 2021 Steep Approach certification. At present, Embraer aircraft account for 85% of all LCY operations.

FMI: www.embraercommercialaviation.com