London City
Airport
Six miles from the City and Canary Wharf, with a 5.5 degree approach that only certified aircraft can fly and a runway whose takeoff run is 3,934 feet. The closest London field, and the most restrictive.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
London City at a glance
London City carries the ICAO code EGLC and the identifier LCY. A 4,948 foot runway with a 3,934 foot takeoff run, at 19 feet elevation on the Royal Docks, about six miles from the City of London.
It is ACL Level 3 slot coordinated with mandatory handling, and its 5.5 degree approach restricts it to steep-approach certified aircraft.
The Constraint
The aircraft decides, then the hours
London City’s approach is 5.5 degrees, roughly twice the standard glideslope, to keep aircraft high over the surrounding housing and towers. Only steep-approach certified aircraft may operate, and most operators also require specific crew training. A number of light and midsize business jets are approved; large cabin aircraft generally are not.
The runway is 4,948 feet but the takeoff run available is 3,934 feet, materially shorter than the pavement. Even for an approved type, performance is a calculation rather than an assumption.
The airport closes from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime, with a night closure as well. That weekend gap is the most common reason a London City plan has to move. Our guide to who should avoid flying a private jet into London City goes through the cases.
Why here
Nothing is closer to the City
London City sits on the Royal Docks about six miles from the City of London and Canary Wharf, with the DLR and the Elizabeth line at the terminal. For a financial district meeting there is no closer field, and on an approved aircraft it removes most of the ground time every other London airport imposes.
The airport is Level 3 coordinated by ACL and every movement needs a slot. Handling is mandatory through the dedicated jet centre. Fire cover is RFF Category 6. The UK requires no landing permit for most flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with Border Force before arrival.
History
A STOL airport for Canary Wharf
London City opened in 1987 on the Royal Docks as a short takeoff and landing airport for the emerging Canary Wharf financial district, initially for turboprops only.
Jet operations followed as steep-approach certified types appeared. The 5.5 degree approach that made the site possible in the first place remains its defining constraint.
Nearby
London City and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. London City is the closest and the most restrictive.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGSSLondon StanstedEGGWLondon Luton
EGWURAF NortholtEGLFFarnboroughEGKBLondon Biggin HillEGTKLondon OxfordEGLDDenham Aerodrome
Biggin Hill is the answer when the aircraft is not approved or the timing hits the weekend closure: no slots, long hours, 12 miles out, helicopter link to Battersea. Luton and Stansted for the north. Farnborough for the south west. Heathrow and Gatwick for scheduled connections.
Airport guides & index
Questions
London City, answered
Can private jets use London City?
Only certain ones. London City has a 5.5 degree approach, roughly twice the standard glideslope, and only aircraft certified for steep approach may operate. The runway is 4,948 feet with a takeoff run of just 3,934 feet. Several popular business jets are approved; many are not. The aircraft question comes before everything else here.
Which aircraft can use London City?
Types with steep-approach certification and the performance for a short runway. A number of light and midsize business jets carry the approval and operate regularly. Large cabin aircraft generally cannot. Our guide to who should avoid flying a private jet into London City sets out the cases, and we check the specific type and its approval against the field on every enquiry.
Why is the approach so steep?
Noise and obstacles. The airport sits in Docklands surrounded by housing and high buildings, and the 5.5 degree glideslope keeps aircraft higher for longer over the city. It is a demanding approach that requires specific aircraft certification and, in most operators' practice, specific crew training.
How long is the runway at London City?
4,948 feet by 98 feet, designated 09/27. The declared takeoff run available is 3,934 feet, materially shorter than the pavement. Field elevation is 19 feet. Fire cover is RFF Category 6.
What are the hours at London City?
The airport closes from Saturday lunchtime until Sunday lunchtime, and there is a night closure. That weekend gap is the single most common reason a London City plan has to move. For a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning arrival, another field is needed.
Does London City need a slot?
Yes, London City is Level 3 coordinated by ACL and every movement needs an allocated slot. Handling is mandatory through the dedicated jet centre on the field.
Why use London City at all?
Position. It is about six miles from the City of London and Canary Wharf, with the DLR and the Elizabeth line at the door. For a financial district meeting there is nothing closer, and on the right aircraft it removes most of the ground time that every other London field imposes.
London City or Biggin Hill for the City?
London City if the aircraft is approved and the timing fits the hours. Biggin Hill otherwise: no aircraft restriction, no slots, long hours, about 12 miles out with a helicopter link to Battersea for anyone in a hurry.
Is ground handling mandatory at London City?
Yes, through the dedicated business aviation centre. It is arranged with the slot.
Do you need a permit to fly into the UK?
No landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with UK Border Force before arrival. We file the GAR, the slot and the handling together.
What is the history of London City?
It opened in 1987 on the Royal Docks as a STOL airport for the emerging Canary Wharf financial district, initially for turboprops only. Jet operations followed once steep-approach certified types appeared, and the 5.5 degree approach that made the site possible remains its defining constraint.
What time zone is London in?
Greenwich Mean Time in winter and British Summer Time from late March to late October, which is UTC+0 and UTC+1 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a London charter
Send the aircraft type and the day of the week. We check steep-approach certification and the weekend closure first, and if London City will not work we say so and plan Biggin Hill with the Battersea helicopter link if time matters.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.