Summer Getaway Takes Off At London City Airport

International flights resume from the central London airport Friday

Massive demand for BA CityFlyer European routes to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Málaga and Florence

Popular flights to holiday destinations some of the first under the Government’s ‘Travel Corridors’ policy

Friday 10^th July, 2020

International flights have resumed today from London’s most central airport, as the Government’s ‘Travel Corridors’ policy comes into effect.

The return of flights to popular European holiday destinations from London City Airport has been met with massive demand from travellers. Bookings for the flights operated by British Airways’ subsidiary BA CityFlyer have exceeded expectations, with passengers eager to take advantage of the safe travel conditions and new rules to have a well-deserved holiday.

The strong demand underlines and affirms the findings of a recent survey of over 4,700 of the airport’s customers. Last month, 79% of City flyers said they were likely to travel when they are told it is safe to do so by the Government and airports or airlines. With the Government’s travel corridors policy and comprehensive safety measures at the airport both in place, people have felt confident to book flights and travel.

London City Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer, Richard Hill, said:

“Today marks the start of the summer getaway season, and it’s clear that customers value the safe, careful and speedy environment that we’ve created.

“I’m also delighted to see BA CityFlyer back operating from their home airport. Our partnership has been tremendously successful in the past and I am confident that it will be again, especially with more leisure routes like Nice, Mahon, Faro and Bergerac to follow, as well more daily rotations to Malaga, Ibiza and Palma.

“Looking ahead, I anticipate we’ll see more of our airline partners re-starting services in the coming weeks, encouraged by the demand we’re experiencing in the London market.”

BA CityFlyer today resumed flying to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Málaga and Florence. These initially daily flights will be joined from Monday 13^th July by daily KLM flights to Amsterdam and Luxair flights to Luxembourg.

From Saturday 1^st August, BA CityFlyer will add flights from London City Airport to other popular European destinations: Nice, Mahon, Faro and Bergerac.

Safe, Careful, Speedy Journeys

London City Airport temporarily suspended flights for nearly three months between 25th March and 21st June, in response to the escalating public health crisis and government lockdown measures. During that period, the airport worked behind the scenes to create a safe environment for passengers and staff.

Designed following expert advice to meet official guidance and best practice standards, measures put in place include rapid contact-free temperature checking technology, crowd monitoring technology, an enhanced cleaning regime using an anti-microbial surface treatment, and social distancing procedures such as one-way systems and Perspex screens. Passengers will also be asked to wear face coverings in the airport.

Despite additional safety measures, the uniquely important aspects of the customer experience at London City have not changed. Speed and convenience has been a key consideration, meaning the airport is still be able offer the fastest experience in London.

Ends.

Notes

BA CityFlyer European flights resuming today (Friday 10/07):
- 06:50 – BA8483, Palma de Mallorca (PMI)

Photography of the first international flights will be available on request, in the afternoon on Friday 10^th July.

In mid-July, BA CityFlyer will also recommence important domestic flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin – restoring vital Anglo-Irish connections with the capital. The airline currently has a service to the Isle of Man, operated by Loganair.

On Monday 6^th July the airport started two brand new routes, creating crucial connections with the capital for Dundee and Teesside, operated by Loganair and Eastern Airways respectively.

Concessions currently open in the airport are: Café Nero, WHSmith and Boots. Retail, food and beverage concessions are reopening in line with passenger numbers.

A survey of over 4,700 London City Airport passengers in June found strong demand to get back to flying quickly:
- 79% were either very likely or quite likely to travel when they are told it is safe to do so by the Government and airports or airlines
- 42% plan to travel for leisure within the next three months
- 41% anticipate they will take a flight for business within the next three months – contradicting claims that business travel is over

More here: https://media.londoncityairport.com/restart-strong-customer-demand/

A range of measures have been put in place at the airport to create a safe and convenient environment for passengers and staff, including:
- An enhanced cleaning regime, including a long-life anti-microbial surface treatment used throughout the airport
- Touch-free hand sanitiser stations
- One-way systems
- Perspex screens at key points of interaction, such as check-in desks
- Clear signage and floor markings to help maintain social distancing and guide you through the airport
- Advance crowd monitoring technology to identify and manage busy areas, using CrowdVision
- Non-contact, automatic temperature checking technology for rapid preliminary screening
- Staff using face masks or visors and gloves

More information is available here:
https://www.londoncityairport.com/safe-careful-speedy-journeys

Photography of the measures is available here:
https://media.londoncityairport.com/covid-secure/

During the suspension, the aerodrome was made available to government agencies and the military to support the national effort to manage the pandemic. The airport also made a special donation of £50,000 from its Community Fund to nine East London foodbanks, to help their essential work during the crisis.

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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.

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