AIRBUS has taken an important step forward in making the A320 series available for restricted airports such as London City, with the planned certification of the A318 for steep approaches. An aircraft has completed an approach with representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on board. Steep approaches are classified as those with a glide slope of greater than 4.5”. Airbus is seeking certification for 5.5”. The performance of the A318 should allow it to operate out of LCY, the out of production AVRO RJ the only over 100-seat aircraft currently approved for the airport. However it is not all plain sailing at London City. Should the A318 be allowed in, other problems would arise, including apron operations and the use of boarding lounges originally designed for the 50-passenger DHC Dash 7.
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