Bombardier’s Global 8000 has been cleared by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to land at London City Airport (LCY), the manufacturer announced on September 10, 2026.
The clearance applies only to aircraft registered in jurisdictions whose aviation authority has approved the Global 8000’s steep approach supplement. Bombardier said the designation took effect immediately.
London City requires a 5.5-degree steep approach
London City is the only UK aerodrome that requires steep approach capability, a constraint the airport has asked the CAA to ease for Airbus A320neo operations.
According to CAA guidance on steep approach approvals, aircraft fly a 5.5-degree glideslope at London City, compared with around 3 degrees on most approaches. The airport has 1,199 meters (3,934 feet) of declared landing distance.
The same guidance states that approval of an aircraft type does not automatically make every individual airframe eligible. Operators remain responsible for ensuring their aircraft meet the applicable requirements and that crews are properly trained. London City also operates its own approval process for each business jet operator.
Bombardier pitches Global 8000 for direct access to central London
Stephen McCullough, Bombardier’s Executive Vice President of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense, credited the aircraft’s leading-edge slats and braking systems for its short-field performance.
Bombardier says access to London City can save passengers 60 to 90 minutes of ground transfer compared with Farnborough or Luton, the airportslarger business jets typically use.
The manufacturer framed the benefit around inbound flights, citing potential nonstop connections from Singapore, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Buenos Aires.
Bombardier describes the Global 8000 as the fastest civil aircraft since Concorde, with a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 14,816 kilometers (8,000 nautical miles).
The type was certified by Transport Canada, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Bombardier says certification by other authorities is ongoing.
Global 7500 paved the way for London City access
The Global 8000 is derived from the Global 7500, which Bombardier flew into London City in May 2019 as part of its steep approach certification campaign for Transport Canada.
As of September 10, 2026, London City’s list of approved aircraft included Global 7500s operated by three companies, alongside Gulfstream G650 and G650ER jets.
One of those operators is NetJets Aviation, the Global 8000 fleet launch customer, which plans to upgrade its in-service Global 7500s to the newer type.