The airport says a new shallower landing approach would enable aircraft used by EasyJet and WizzAir to fly there

London City Airport has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce a shallower landing approach, a change it says would allow larger, more modern planes to use the airport.

The proposal would add an additional 4.49‑degree approach angle, alongside the airport’s existing 5.5‑degree steep approach, which would remain in use for most aircraft.

Many planes fly over Waltham Forest on their approach to City Airport.

The airport says the change would not alter flightpaths over the ground, but would slightly lower the altitude of some aircraft during the final stages of landing.

City Airport says the new approach would enable aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo, used by EasyJet and WizzAir, to operate at the airport.

These planes can carry significantly more passengers than the aircraft most commonly used at present, allowing the airport to reach its approved annual passenger cap of nine million with fewer flights than would otherwise be required.

With the new approach, it estimates there would be around 76,500 fewer flights over a 12‑year period compared with doing nothing.

The airport also says the proposal would reduce overall noise exposure in the long term, with fewer people affected by daytime aircraft noise and around 10,000 fewer people experiencing early‑morning noise during the most sensitive period. It adds that newer aircraft are more fuel‑efficient, resulting in lower carbon emissions per passenger, though it says there would be no change to local air quality.

London City Airport stresses that the majority of flights would continue to use the existing approach and that the maximum difference in aircraft height would be around 300 to 500 feet, depending on runway direction, during the final kilometres before landing.

The consultation forms part of the Civil Aviation Authority’s formal CAP1616 airspace change process. The consultation stage runs from until 17th May 2026, after which responses will be reviewed before a final proposal is submitted to the regulator later this year. If approved, the changes could be implemented from January 2027.

Residents are being invited to take part via an online survey, digital exhibition, webinars and local drop‑in events. Find out more about the consultation here

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