Re-establishing the vital airlink between two global financial centres Embraer E190-E2 makes first commercial flight into London City Airport

Yesterday evening, Thursday 2 September 2021, saw an important debut for London City Airport. At 1749, an Embraer E190-E2 made its first commercial flight into the iconic airport in the centre of the British political and financial capital. The Helvetic Airways aircraft,
registered HB-AZG, flew from Zurich to London in 1 hour 20 minutes, also re-establishing an essential link for the global financial community.
Flight LX 456, operated by Helvetic Airways on behalf of its partner company Swiss International Air Lines, was welcomed by a water salute from London City Airport’s fire service.
On board the sold-out flight were 110 passengers, including representatives of the international
media, business travellers and those visiting friends and family.
Re-establishing connectivity between the UK and Switzerland Commenting on the arrival, LCY’s Chief Operating Officer Alison FitzGerald said: “Welcoming
Swiss and Helvetic back, and with the newest LCY-capable aircraft, Embraer’s E190-E2, is a
significant milestone for London City. It demonstrates how we are collaborating with manufacturers and airlines to introduce more low-emission, low-noise aircraft to our airport, as well as re-establishing a vital business connection which we believe will go from strength to strength as the UK Government begins to further reduce barriers to travel. Our ambition is to be
one of the most sustainable airports of our size in Europe, and it is my expectation that we will
be welcoming more of these aircraft with more airlines as the industry recovers from COVID19.”
The Embraer E190-E2: the perfect aircraft for London City With LCY’s runway length of only 1,508 metres and descent angles of up to 5.5 degrees, the Embraer E190-E2 is particularly suitable for operations at the legendary Thames-side airport.
“Thanks to a reduction of almost 20% in fuel consumption and a noise footprint at take-off that
is 63% smaller than our previous-generation aircraft, the E190-E2 delivers not only significant
reductions in emissions but also a much quieter experience for local residents,” enthused Cesar
Perreira, Embraer’s Vice President Sales & Marketing EMEA, shortly before the first flight left Zurich for London.

It should be noted that Embraer aircraft account for nearly 90% of all movements at London City
Airport. At the same time, the E190-E2 almost doubles the available range from the airport to
more than 4,000 kilometres, bringing destinations such as Istanbul, Casablanca and Moscow within reach for the first time.
Helvetic Airways: the first E2 operator into London City
“With this world premiere, we are particularly proud to be able to offer a product of the highest level in terms of comfort, quiet and sustainability. We are convinced that the Embraer E2 is perfectly suited to the requirements of business customers flying between the financial centres
of London and Zurich,” said Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways, during the inaugural flight.
With the coronavirus pandemic bringing a more regional emphasis to air transport along with a trend towards the use of smaller aircraft types, Helvetic Airways is ideally equipped both to provide reliable and cost-effective flight operations and to take full and fruitful advantage of the new opportunities currently offered in markets worldwide. With a fleet of 12 Embraer E2 aircraft,
Helvetic Airways is presently the largest Embraer E-Jet operator in the world, strengthening its position as a regional airline based in Switzerland and serving Europe and beyond.
About Helvetic Airways
Swiss regional airline Helvetic Airways provides a range of short and medium-haul air services
from its hubs at Zurich Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. The carrier deploys its
16 Embraer E-Jet aircraft (eight E190-E2s, four E195-E2s and four E190-E1s) on scheduled,
charter and wet-lease flights. Eight Helvetic Airways Embraer E190-E1s and -E2s are currently
operated on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines under a long-term wet-lease agreement.
The Helvetic Airways workforce numbers some 400 employees. The company has its own
maintenance hangar and operation at Zurich Airport, which is also home to its corporate head
office.
Helvetic Airways has been working closely with Horizon Swiss Flight Academy AG
(www.horizon-sfa.ch), based in Kloten, Switzerland, since 2008. Both companies are part of the
Helvetic Airways Group, which is domiciled in Freienbach, Switzerland.
About Embraer
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for
Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. The
company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of whollyowned entities and authorized agents.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average,
about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world,
transporting over 145 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and is the main
exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices,
service and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

About London City Airport
London City Airport is London’s most central airport and is known internationally for its punctuality,
speed of service and award-winning customer experience. Recognising that it has never been more
important for passengers to have confidence when they book, LCY offers safe, careful and speedy
journeys through the UK capital’s best-connected airport. London City Airport has its customers’
well-being at heart and, with its airline partners, provides connectivity to 25 destinations throughout
the UK and Europe.
Contacts for media enquiries:
Liam McKay
Director of Corporate Affairs
London City Airport
Mobile: +44 (0)7545439073

Email: Liam.McKay@londoncityairport.com

Mehdi Guenin
Media Spokesperson
Helvetic Airways
Mobile: +41 (0)79 376 7180

Email: mehdi.guenin@helvetic.com

Guy Douglas
Director Corporate Communications
Embraer Commercial Aviation
Mobile: +31 (0)657120121
Email: guy.douglas@nl.embraer.com

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

Our Number has changed:

Email: Liam.McKay@londoncityairport.com

Email: mehdi.guenin@helvetic.com

What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

Email: Liam.McKay@londoncityairport.com

Email: mehdi.guenin@helvetic.com

What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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