Airports Embraer E190-E2 lands at London City for the first time with Helvetic Airways

The Embraer E2 has celebrated its debut at London City Airport, one of the most iconic airports in the centre of the global financial community. Helvetic Airways performed a flight on behalf of its partner Swiss International Air Lines from Zurich to England´s capital.

This flight is a milestone for the airline and the airport, as the British political and financial capital will now be connected with Zürich, as an essential link for the financial branch. Using state-of-the-art aircraft also underlines the importance and innovation on the route.

On board of the sold-out first flight of LX456 were 110 passengers, including representatives of international media and business travellers. The E2 was welcomed by London City Airport´s fire service with a water salute.

London City Airport Chief Operating Officer Alison FitzGerald said: “Welcoming Swiss and Helvetic back, and with the newest LCY-capable aircraft, Embraer’s E190-E2, is a significant milestone for London City. It demonstrates how we are collaborating with manufacturers and airlines to introduce more low-emission, low-noise aircraft to our airport, as well as re-establishing a vital business connection which we believe will go from strength to strength as the UK Government begins to further reduce barriers to travel. Our ambition is to be one of the most sustainable airports of our size in Europe, and it is my expectation that we will be welcoming more of these aircraft with more airlines as the industry recovers from COVID-19.”

Cesar Perreira, Embraer’s Vice President Sales & Marketing EMEA, added: „Thanks to a reduction of almost 20% in fuel consumption and a noise footprint at take-off that is 63% smaller than our previous-generation aircraft, the E190-E2 delivers not only significant reductions in emissions but also a much quieter experience for local residents.“

London City Airport´s runway is only 1,508 meters long and can only been flown to by specially trained pilots. The E2 is suitable for these circumstances, as the decent angels of up to 5.5 degrees, which are needed to avoid water and buildings, can be perfectly performed by the aircraft.

Over the past months, the E2 performed various flight tests at the airport to gain the certification to land. This first flight opens a new market for airlines to use their E2s on flights to London City.

Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways, concluded: “With this world premiere, we are particularly proud to be able to offer a product of the highest level in terms of comfort, quiet and sustainability. We are convinced that the Embraer E2 is perfectly suited to the requirements of business customers flying between the financial centres of London and Zurich.”