Today, Tuesday 6 December 2005, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London officially opened the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) London City Airport Extension.

London City Airport would like to congratulate the Docklands Light Railway team, including CARE and Amec on the early opening of the extension, which has now put the Airport firmly on the public transport map.

The Airport’s basic proposition is to save people time. The DLR extension now provides Airport passengers and staff a much-improved service with the certainty that they can get to and from the Airport without disruption.

Richard Gooding, Managing Director of London City Airport is very enthusiastic about what the DLR opening will bring to the Airport and the local area: “It’s an exciting time for the Airport, having reached the 2 million annual passenger threshold. Our success has largely been driven by our location at the heart of the Thames Gateway, Europe’s largest regeneration project. London City Airport, together with the DLR, have been vital ingredients in developing the transport infrastructure.”

When the Airport first opened in 1987 (just months after DLR’s own original launch) surface access was very limited; road was the only option available to passengers via the A13 Commercial Road. Over the years all modes of access have been enhanced. Firstly, the Limehouse Link was put in place, with Aspen Way and then the Lower Lea Crossing, which provided a direct road to the Airport from the City and Canary Wharf. Canning Town station opened in 1999, served by the DLR and Jubilee Line. The DLR extension was the missing link for the Airport.

There are more DLR airport related extensions to come; the onward extension under the Thames to Woolwich is under construction, due for completion in 2008 and giving great access for passengers from North Kent and South East London. Planning approval is currently being sought (funding is already in place) to convert the heavy rail North London Line between Stratford and Canning Town to light rail linking up with the Airport extension at Canning Town. The new station at Stratford will of course be at the heart of the Olympic Games site, providing a fast and frequent transfer directly from the Airport, from 2010.

The successful 2012 Olympic bid is providing real stimulus to bring about the already planned growth in the Thames Gateway. London City Airport, located just two miles from the main Games venue, is ideally placed to play a key role in the transport provision for competitors, officials and spectators at this once in a lifetime event.

Richard continues: “In the years leading up to the Olympic Games, we expect to see further growth, reaching around 3.5 million passengers per year by 2010. To accommodate this growth we will have to invest further in the Airport infrastructure. Whilst we do not need another runway, we will need more space for aircraft parking and more space for passengers in the terminal. We are confident we can do this and continue to play a vital economic development role in this area. Our approach is very similar to the DLR, who continue to expand their network to match the needs of East London and the Thames Gateway.”