Belgium-headquartered ASL has received approval to perform commercial charter flights in and out of London City airport (LCY) with its Embraer Legacy 450. The operator is the first in the world to obtain this approval, which follows the approval recently granted to the L500.

Delivered to ASL and its partner company Smartair in January 2016, the Legacy 450 was the first of its type to be registered in Europe, as well as the first to be offered on the charter market worldwide.

In spring 2016, the company received approval to operate charter flights in and out of St. Tropez (La Mole) on the French Riviera, where the aircraft was based during the 2016 summer season. It was recently retrofitted by Embraer with steep approach mode, enabling it to perform stabilised approaches with up to 6° angles. London City's final approach glide-path is 5.5°. Owing to LCY's proximity to central London, it has stringent noise limitations which, along with its 1,508 m runway and steep glideslope, limit the aircraft types that can use it.

ASL's CEO Philippe Bodson hopes that this approval will boost charter sales. “It is great news for those who want to connect to London's economic heart, but it will also create direct routes between pairs such as LCY and St. Tropez, which are currently impossible on most light, midsize and super midsize jets comparable to the Legacy 450.

“Performance requirements are demanding and flight crew members require special training for it.”

ASL and JetNetherlands have added a Piaggio P180 Avanti to their fleet. The aircraft was managed by JetNetherlands several years ago and has now returned to the company. It is currently being added to the AOC and will be available for charter.