Helvetic Airways has become the first airline to operate a commercial flight with the Embraer E195-E2 to London City Airport (LCY). With a length of 41.5 meters and a capacity of 134 seats, the E195-E2 is now the largest aircraft serving this airport.
This marks the second time in three and a half years that the Swiss carrier has achieved a milestone at this particularly demanding airport. In autumn 2021, Helvetic Airways became the first airline to operate the E190-E2 at London City, and now it has taken on an even greater challenge. The flight, operated on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines, departed from Zurich on 26 March 2025, at 11:30 a.m. and landed in London shortly after noon.
London City Airport is known for its steep approach, requiring specially trained crews and aircraft suited for such conditions. The E195-E2 not only meets these requirements but also brings environmental benefits: 30% lower CO₂ emissions and 63% less noise compared to previous-generation aircraft.
Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways, emphasized that this achievement demonstrates the flexibility and expertise of his company, which has become the only operator using three different Embraer aircraft models at this airport.
Alison FitzGerald, CEO of London City Airport, highlighted how such aircraft enable growth without increasing the number of flights, thereby protecting the environment. Embraer has also announced an innovative automated takeoff system (E2TS), which will extend the E195-E2’s range from 3,200 km to 4,000 km, opening up possibilities for new destinations such as Istanbul and Athens.
Marie-Louise Philippe, Embraer’s representative, noted that London City, where 75% of flights are operated by Embraer aircraft, has become a key “testing ground” for the manufacturer’s latest technology.
