London City-4
 

Switchover to the new digital air traffic control tower (controlled from NATS Swanwick) is scheduled for this Saturday 23rd January, with a backup date of 30th January.

How much of the "new stuff" is actually complete/in use now ? Full length taxyway ? Additional gates ? The new stands appeared to come on line a while ago.

Was that obstructing baggage building in the middle of the existing ramp a complete waste ?

The parallel taxiway, eight new stands and new temporary immigration facility are complete and in use. Second phase (further apron expansion, additional gates, expanded terminal, decked car park etc) is on hold indefinitely until passenger numbers pick up.

Wasn't this needed to accomodate the expansion that's been delayed? Always saw this as a ploy by NATS to stop LCY from using another provider IMHO.

BTW surely it's only *four* new remote stands, 25-28? How did we get to eight?

Any gate provision on the new stands, or are they bus gates ?

The rebuilding of the traditional gates 3-10 some years ago was done very nicely, and they are a pleasure to use at the upper level (still a squish down below). The newer gates 21-24 in the opposite direction, in comparison are austere in the extreme.

Bus gates sadly which is very annoying for such short distances.

LCY ATC successfully move to the Digital Remote Tower
 

In a UK first, LCY air traffic operations successfully moved to the remote digital control room at Swanwick on Saturday Jan 23rd

After an almost dead three months, with only the LOT flight to Vilnius on some days, things seem to be creeping back. BA have started up Dusseldorf as well as Belfast and Frankfurt, KLM have restarted, Luxair seem to be more regular. Hopefully the trend will continue.

That’s good. In disappointing news, the plan for the new Alitalia will see the airline get rid of their Embraer aircraft so they probably won’t be returning to LCY.

I am a little dubious about demand on routes to Dusseldorf and Frankfurt - airlines are required to verify that pax have proof of a recent negative test prior to allowing passenger to board the aircraft when flying to Germany
Yes, a test can be achieved, but it deters all but the most necessary of journeys

Thats the case for almost all destinations at the moment and has been for some time now. It’s likely to also be the case for a while going forward. It’s not hard to get a test. You can even do it in the LCY terminal.

Although it may be easier to get a test, it still acts as a deterrent to travel which is what davidjohnson6 was stating.

Frankfurt has been running all through winter/spring, albeit just a few times a week, which would not have been done if not worthwhile.

I see Ego Airways have been awarded slots although not sure if they will actually operate a route to the airport.

BACF starting JER & GIB from 25th June

Both twice weekly with E190. I’m surprised NQY wasn’t added as well. Given domestic travel might end up one of the few options available to many.

It appears CJ has extended some peak July August seasonal flights into Sept/Oct.

That's correct, I've just treated myself to CE on JSI-LCY for 1st October which wasn't on sale when I first looked a few weeks ago. Very reasonable pricing as well compared to the other one-way options back from JSI-UK

Glad to see the season extended!

BACF is due to restart Edinburgh tomorrow.

BACF are launching LCY- Guernsey twice weekly (Friday and Monday) from 25th June.