Swiss regional carrier Baboo could be set to join Lufthansa and British Airways in operating the Embraer 190 to London City Airport after the type secured certification to perform the required steep approach.
The pilot can select the proper approach configuration with a simple switch, which commands a deflection of the outer spoilers. Carriers requiring this capability need only a software modification to the fly-by-wire system.
While British Airways CityFlyer and Lufthansa CityLine have already disclosed plans to operate the 190 at London City, Embraer says today that Geneva-based Baboo will also be among the first to use the type at the downtown airport.
The European Aviation Safety Agency confirms that it has completed airworthiness certification of the type's steep-approach capability.
"Embraer will offer this to airlines through a service bulletin to upgrade their existing flight control system," says an EASA spokesman.
"Operational approval for use at particular airports requires the involvement of the responsible national aviation authority - in this case the UK's Civil Aviation Authority."
 |
|---|
Embraer says the 190 will be able to operate with a range of more than 800nm (1,480km) from London City.
The airframer's airline market executive vice-president, Mauro Kern, adds that it has concluded steep-approach certification "with no pending items".
British Airways CityFlyer, which has five 190s on order, already uses the 170 at London City. The type received similar approach approval three years ago.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
