A frequent air service to Paris has been operated by Air France since London City Airport opened on 5 November 1987. Initially it was flown up to 12 times daily by Brymon Airways with 50-seat de Havilland Canada turboprops to Charles de Gaulle Airport. With Brymon pulling out CityJet operated the route, also as a code share, using AVRO RJ85s carrying a maximum of 95 passengers.
Some years back CityJet moved to Orly Airport, Paris South.
The route stops 26 March. Also departing is London City – Nantes.
The demise of the service can only be put down to one single enterprise – Eurostar!
This in various stages has reduced the journey time dramatically to currently just 2hr 16min. The move from Waterloo Station to St Pancras opened up sales opportunities to a much larger geographical market. To Brussels, also an opening route from the airport, only Heathrow of London’s six international airports now offers flights.
To emphasise the quality of its product, and very much aiming at the business traveller, Eurostar has opened an impressive new Business Premier lounge at Gare du Nord in Paris in what was once the station hotel. London – Amsterdam services are planned for the end on the year.
BT News
