The world’s fastest private jet can now land at London’s trickiest airport

Bombardier’s flagship Global 8000 business jet has been cleared by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for operation at London City Airport (LCY), giving the ultra-long-range aircraft access to one of the most convenient airports for business travellers visiting the centre of the English capital.

The approval, announced on 10 September, is a significant milestone for Bombardier. London City is one of the most demanding airports in Europe for aircraft certification, thanks to its short runway, densely built-up surroundings and, most notably, its unusually steep approach.

For Global 8000 operators, the new approval means they can potentially fly directly into London City rather than using airports such as London Luton, Farnborough or Biggin Hill and then making a longer journey into central London.

That could be particularly attractive to the business-aviation market. London City sits only a few miles from the City of London and Canary Wharf, putting passengers close to some of the world’s most important financial and corporate centres.

A remarkable capability for Bombardier’s Global 8000

The Global 8000 is a particularly interesting aircraft to receive the approval because it is considerably larger and more capable than the typical business jets associated with London City.

Bombardier’s flagship aircraft is designed for intercontinental travel, with a published range of 8,000 nautical miles and a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.95.

Its ability to combine that range with London City access makes the approval particularly attractive to corporate and private aviation customers.

The certification builds on Bombardier’s experience with the Global 7500. That aircraft helped demonstrate that a large, long-range business jet could be engineered to meet London’s demanding steep-approach requirements.

For the Global 8000, the approval is subject to the aircraft’s steep-approach supplement being approved by the relevant aviation authority in the jurisdiction where the aircraft is registered. Operators must also meet London City Airport’s own requirements.

The result is an unusual combination: an aircraft capable of flying thousands of miles nonstop can also operate into a runway surrounded by the heart of one of the world’s largest cities.

Why is London City so difficult to land at?

London City Airport’s location is both its greatest strength and its biggest operational challenge. Built in the Royal Docks in London’s Docklands, the airport is surrounded by tall buildings, roads, waterways and other infrastructure.

Aircraft approaching the airport therefore have to follow a much steeper descent than they would at most conventional airports.

The standard approach at the vast majority of airports is around three degrees. At London City, aircraft currently use a 5.5-degree approach. The difference may sound small, but it is substantial from an aviation perspective.

Aircraft have to descend much more rapidly towards the runway, while crews must maintain precise control of speed, configuration and flight path.

The procedure also forms part of the airport’s noise-abatement measures, helping to reduce the impact of operations on surrounding communities.

The airport’s runway is also relatively short at approximately 1,508 metres (4,569ft). That places additional demands on aircraft performance, particularly during landing. An aircraft must be capable of making a steep approach and then stopping safely within the available runway distance.

As a result, an aircraft cannot simply arrive at London City because it is physically small enough to fit on the runway. The aircraft type must be specifically approved for the airport, and operators and pilots must meet additional requirements.

London City says its aircraft approval process is designed to ensure that aircraft meet its safety, operational and regulatory requirements.

What other aircraft can land at London City?

Despite its restrictions, London City has a surprisingly diverse range of approved aircraft. The airport is particularly associated with Embraer’s E-Jet family. Embraer E170s, E190s and E195s have all become familiar sights, with airlines using the aircraft because their size and performance are well suited to the airport.

The Embraer E195-E2 is especially significant. In March 2025, a Helvetic Airways E195-E2 became the largest aircraft ever to land at London City Airport at the time, demonstrating the capabilities of the latest generation of Embraer’s regional jet family.

The Airbus A220-100 is another important aircraft at London City. Airbus describes the A220 family as capable of combining steep-approach capability with longer-range operations, and the A220-100 has been developed specifically for constrained airports such as London City.

There is also a long history of Airbus aircraft at the airport. The A318 was specially certified for steep approaches of up to 5.5 degrees, allowing the aircraft to operate into London City.

British Airways famously used specially configured A318s on its all-business-class service between London City and New York JFK, with the aircraft making a fuel stop in Shannon on westbound flights.

A variety of smaller aircraft and business jets can also operate at London City, including different Dassault Falcon types, Cessna Citation aircraft and other aircraft specifically approved for the airport.

Perhaps the most interesting development for the airport’s future is not the Global 8000, however, but the possibility of seeing an Airbus A320neo at London City.

London City Airport submitted an application in January 2025 aimed at accommodating the A320neo, which would represent a major expansion in the size and capacity of aircraft able to serve the airport.

In March 2026, the airport launched a public consultation on a proposed new landing approach. Rather than requiring the A320neo to perform the existing 5.5-degree approach, the proposal involves introducing a shallower approach of approximately 4.49 degrees for suitably equipped and authorised aircraft.