The opening of a new runway hold point at London City Airport has increased the maximum number of hourly movements from 24 to 30. Four aircraft at a time can now taxi to the single 4,327-foot runway, with the first being positioned for takeoff while the other three wait at the hold point.

The 48,000-sq-ft hold point has been built on a platform over the disused docks that surround the downtown airport. It cost approximately $12.7 million and is expected to boost the airport’s annual passenger throughput from around 3.5 million to 5 million.
An airport spokeswoman confirmed that the increased capacity will make it easier to accept ad hoc business aircraft movements during peak hours. London City operations are restricted to those aircraft and crews that have been approved to use its 5.5-degree steep approach.