London City’s short-haul route network and its proximity to the City mean that it has traditionally appealed mostly to those on business, which has also helped it, of course. These passengers tend to travel alone, are experienced travellers and are often pressed for time rather than relaxing in holiday mode. In addition, they aren’t usually encumbered by children and are less likely to travel with hold baggage. All this has surely aided the smooth operation of the airport, despite the steady increase in the leisure destinations it offers. These include seasonal summer routes to Greece and also year-round services to Portugal and Spain.
But, having used it on and off since the 1990s, I have to say that I have already watched its steady expansion over the last 30 years slowly dilute some of the appeal of the place. Those corridors to the departure gates have been getting longer and the lounges have become more crowded in recent years. Add another 40 per cent to its capacity it will have to cope with an average of 10,000 people a day.
Of course, there have been some upsides. More capacity means a greater choice of destinations and greater frequencies. Fares are unlikely to be the cheapest option compared with, say, Stansted, Luton or Gatwick, but for some passengers who live in London, it is a cheaper and quicker airport to get to. (Though I have to say that given how close it is to the city centre, the DLR is a frustratingly tortuous – and at peak times often very crowded – way of getting there. And if you live in the west of the city it is often quicker to get to Heathrow or Gatwick).
Putting aside environmental concerns and other objections from those living nearby, the risk of expanding London City is that it will dilute its appeal to those who use it still further. It’s perfectly understandable why the consortium which owns it would want to make the most of what they have got. But they risk following in the footsteps of so many others to have gone before them. It is not only airports which are vulnerable to the temptation of cashing in on success. I’ve seen it in hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, travel agents. Get too big or expand too fast, and you jeopardise the qualities and the human touch which made you stand out in the first place.