LONDON CITY AIRPORT has returned from this year's European Regions Association General Assembly in Vienna with the ERA Palme d'Or. This is a new honour intended to recognise "consistency of performance and sustained excellence" by individual airlines and airports over an extended period as well as their long-term support for ERA's activities on behalf of the industry. It is granted rather than won and any airline or airport accorded the honour retains it in perpetuity.
Airport managing director Richard Gooding said the accolade was a remarkable achievement for LCY”s continued efforts, the fact it had been significantly developed and was now recognised as one of Europe's leading airports for business travel.
London City next year will launch what it says is the most frequent airport rail link through an extension of the Docklands Light Railway. Plans are for a train every 10 minutes, with a journey time from Bank of 20 minutes.
ERA director-general Mike Ambrose said the association was pleased London City had become the first airport to be presented with the ERA Palme d'Or. The facility was "a prime example of how a regional airport can become an essential partner to Europe's business community, providing vital links between leading financial and commercial centres," he said. "London City's continued focus on developing the airport to further enhance business travel demonstrates its management's strong commitment to the industry and we wish them equally as much success for the future."
*Meanwhile, London City Airport last week received its millionth Edinburgh passenger since flights began in 1996. Business traveller Aidan O'Carroll checked-in at 14:00 to depart on the ScotAirways 14:15 service. The route was first launched by KLM, with ScotAirways taking it over in 2000.
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