Bombardier has reversed its position regarding operations of the Dash 8 Q400 at London City airport (LCY), saying that gaining approval for the 78-seat turboprop to fly into the Docklands airport is "a high priority".
UK regional British European will receive the first of four Q400s in July, and said last month that it might expand its Q400 fleet if the aircraft can be cleared to operate with a maximum passenger load.
The manufacturer, however, claimed last month that gaining LCY approval for the Q400 was not a priority, adding that there could be issues with tail scrapes.
Vice-president of aircraft programmes for Bombardier Regional Aircraft Rod Williams says: "We have been working on clearing the Q400 for LCY for 6 to 8 months, and have completed initial demonstration test flights in Canada with Transport Canada and UK Civil Aviation Authority pilots."
Williams says that Bombardier is "ready to make the next steps" towards certification, which will involve demonstration flights at the airport. He believes the aircraft will be cleared to operate with an "economically viable payload", adding "we are not concerned about tail-scrape issues."
Source: Flight International
