JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Bombardier expects to receive approval for the Dash 8 Q400 to operate at London City Airport (LCY) "very soon", with German regional Augsburg Airways set to be the first to fly the type to LCY with the planned launch of Munich services on 29 October.
The manufacturer has already received Transport Canada approval for new steep approach supplements for the Q400's approved flight manual (AFM) and these have been submitted to Europe's Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA) for approval. The manufacturer has been working with LCY to have the Q400 designated an approved aircraft, which involved tests conducted in March to demonstrate approaches to the airport and the type's compatibility with existing ramp, terminal facilities and taxiways. The JAA must approve the AFM supplements, Augsburg Airways' operations and training manuals and acknowledge the LCY approval before it gives the go-ahead to the airline's operations.
LCY's 1,200m (3,930ft) runway has an approach angle of 5.5° and is considered by Bombardier as the route provider for other steep- approach airports such as Pisa and Florence. The manufacturer has carried out 70h of flight testing, including over 130 approaches, and has worked on tail-scrape issues to deliver an "economically viable payload" for the 68- to 78-seater.
Lufthansa partner Augsburg will fly twice daily on weekdays and once daily at the weekends under the major's flight numbers.
The carrier already serves LCY from Frankfurt and Munster using the Dash 8 Q300. Augsburg says it is confident that JAA approval will be granted in time for the planned service start.
Source: Flight International
