London City Airport Parking & Hotels

At A Glance

Airport code LCY
1.5 million passengers a year
25 Destinations
15 Airlines

Background

The idea of an airport for Docklands was discussed back in 1981, but due to various obstacles of a bureaucratic nature construction work did not actually get underway until 1986, which was also the year in which the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of the terminal building. The airport was officially named London City Airport in 1987, and the following year saw several routes being licensed and commercial flights started. In November 1988 London City Airport was officially opened by the Queen.  By the end of the year 15,000 passengers had used London City Airport, and in 1988 a 35-minute river bus service to and from central London and the airport was launched, handling 133,000 passengers.  In 1989 services to Rotterdam, Lille and Strasbourg were started, and planning permission submitted to extend the runway because of the volume of passengers.  By the end of 1995 over 555,000 passengers were using London City Airport. It was sold to Irish businessman Dermot Desmond the same year.  In 1999 several improvements to London City Airport were made, including a covered walkway and the Jubilee line extension. In 2001 the Docklands Light Railway was extended to London City Airport. Many new services to London City Airport were announced in 2003, including British Airways flights to Edinburgh, Paris, Geneva and Frankfurt. London City airport continues to develop as an important London gateway with 15 airlines flying to over 25 destinations and the handling of approximately 1.5 million passengers a year.

Transport

London City Airport can be accessed from north London via the North Circular Road (A406), from south London via the Blackwall Tunnel, from east London via the A13 and from the M11 via the A406 (North Circular), and from the West End of London via the Limehouse link tunnel.

The car parks at London City Airport are next to the terminal. There is also a business car park at the airport.

Docklands Light Railway services run from the City of London and Canning Town underground station and rail station to London City Airport. Trains run every 7 minutes, and take 14 minutes to reach Canning Town, and 22 minutes to reach Bank station.

Local bus 473 runs from London City Airport to Stratford and North Woolwich, and bus 474 serves Canning Town. A payable daily shuttle bus service runs every 30 minutes to a number of hotels in the area.

There is a stand at London City Airport for licensed black taxis, located directly outside the terminal building. Fares to central London start from £20-25.

Airport Facilities

At London City Airport, the airport information desk is located on the left by the entrance to the terminal.  Other facilities include a bank, bureaux de change, ATMs and a post box. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the terminal. 

There are cafés and restaurants at London City Airport both before security and airside, and there is a bar in the Departures area. 

There are several shops at the London City Airport, including a newsagents/bookshop and a tax- and duty-free shop. A collection service is available for returning shoppers.

There is a left-luggage and lost property service at the airport, and also a shoeshine service.

The Meridian Business Centre has facilities for up to 120 people in 16 meeting and conference rooms which include private work offices, audiovisual equipment, secretarial support, fax, photocopying, Internet access, catering and private dining facilities. An additional 17 rooms are offered at LCY Jet Centre, located in the short stay car park

Disabled Access Facilities

The terminal at London City Airport is fully accessible to disabled passengers.  Aircraft boarding assistance is provided, although please note that travellers should advise the airline in advance. Airport shuttle buses have dedicated facilities for disabled passengers and there are car parking spaces allocated close to the terminal building for disabled travellers.