London City Airport is holding informal discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on making increased use of the "starter strips" at each end of its single runway, to allow the operation of larger and heavier aircraft.
The 1,200m (3,935ft) runway cannot be extended because of obstacle clearance issues and because, under CAA rules, it would have to be widened from 30m to 45m. However, allowing operators to use the starter strips for landing roll-outs and rejected take-offs would enable the airport to accept heavier aircraft. The starter strips provide about 100m of extra runway at each end, giving an effective length of around 1,400m.
London City managing director Richard Gooding says that using the starter strips would allow aircraft such as the British Aerospace Avro RJ100 to carry a full passenger load on hot days, and help clear the way for other jet types such as the Embraer RJ-145, Fokker 100, Airbus A318 and, possibly, the Boeing 737 to use the airport.
The only jet airliners cleared for London City are the Avro RJ/BAe 146family and the Fokker 70, although Boeing is offering modifications to its 717-200 to allow the 100-seat aircraft to be operated at the airport.
The change would also benefit some corporate operators at the airport.
Source: Flight International
