Planned changes to London City Airport (LCY) will allow it to handle aircraft the size of the Bombardier C-Series, putting the city centre airport within range of the Middle East and the east coast of the US.Major infrastructure changes would mean LCY could boast routes to medium-haul destinations from 2016.The proposals are in their early stages, with the airport set to consult with local residents in the coming weeks.The airport, which currently handles around 3.2 million passengers a year, has ambitions to increase capacity to 10 million travellers annually.The City Airport Development Programme (CADP) aims to “prepare LCY for the future” and will help safeguard thousands of jobs, the airport said.Crucially, the changes will not see any new runway or an extension to the existing runway.The airport intends to submit a planning application in Spring 2013. LCY currently handles 70,000 flights per year, but this could increase to 120,000.If the application is approved then the changes will be brought about in 2016. LCY said it had not put a cost on the project as yet.The airport announced a separate €19 million investment last month.Plans include the refurbishment of the Western Pier, with new departure gates and improved lounge facilities, re-development of the International Arrivals Hall and enhancements to baggage handling zones. Work will begin in early 2013. Source: airportworld
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