Happy 30th Birthday London City Airport

This year London City Airport turns 30.

London City Airport has seen a lot of growth over the last three decades with a huge increase in routes and passengers. In 1987 15,000 passengers travelled to just four destinations – Paris, Plymouth (!), Brussels and Amsterdam.

In 2006 there were nearly 50 routes and 4.5 million passengers.  Going forward, a £344 million expansion will begin construction later this year.

To mark the anniversary London City Airport has released a number of pictures from their archives, including some from the personal collections of long-time employees.  Here are a few gems from the collection:

Captain Harry Ghee of Brymon Airways with a map of the area in the 1980s:

Here is how the Royal Docks looked in 1981.

London City Airport today.

Prince Charles laying (more accurately, looking at) the foundation stone in 1986

The Queen at the opening in 1987:

Evening Standard cartoon from 1987:

Present day (credit: Ben Walsh)

And after the new expansion plan is completed:

If you want to read more about City Airport today you can find my review – with a video – of the First Class Lounge in the Private Jet Centre here and my flight review with CityJet to Amsterdam here.