Yesterday, Helvetic Airways, on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines, landed the first commercial flight of Embraer E195 E2 at London City Airport. This is the largest aircraft to depart from London City Airport.
Helvetic Airways has made history at London City Airport twice in three-and-a-half years. In the autumn of 2021, Helvetic Airways became the first commercial airline ever to land a Embraer E190E2 on the runway at London City Airport. Helvetic Airways Embraer E195E2 is the first aircraft of its type to land on the runway at London City Airport in a regular flight today, March 26, 2025. The E195E2 is the largest aircraft operating from London City Airport. It has a 41.5 metre length and 134 total seats. The E195-E2 has also the lowest fuel consumption of all aircraft operating from London City.
London City Airport puts high demands on aircraft and specially-trained cockpit crews due to its steep approach. Helvetic Airways possesses both and is proud to have been the first airline to introduce the larger E195E2 at London City Airport, following the premiere of the Embraer E190E2 in 2020. Tobias Pogorevc is the CEO of Helvetic Airways and he was in London for the celebrations of the maiden flight. The flight was operated by Helvetic Airways for Swiss International Air Lines under a wet lease. It took off at 11.30 am from Zurich and landed shortly after noon at London City Airport.
Alison FitzGerald is the CEO of London City Airport. She said: “We are delighted to welcome the E195E2 aircraft, which demonstrates the commitment we have to working with our manufacturers and airlines to introduce cleaner and quieter aircraft to the airport. The E195E2 offers a variety of exciting new destinations for our passengers. We can also grow and meet our passenger limit without increasing flight movements.”
“London City is a special place to us, as 75% of its flights are Embraer aircraft. It’s great to celebrate another milestone in the E2 story with our partners from Helvetic Airways and London City”, said Marie-Louise Philippe, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Head of Region Europe and Central Asia, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
Offering 30% lower CO2 emissions per seat and a 63% smaller noise footprint compared to the previous generation aircraft, the E195-E2 is the largest, most efficient, and most sustainable aircraft certified for LCY.
Philippe added, “Embraer has developed the world’s first automatic takeoff system for aircraft called E2TS – Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System. E2TS will, once certified, increase the E195-E2’s maximum range from LCY from 3200 km up to 4000 km. New destinations, such as Istanbul and Gran Canaria will be within reach of London City.”
