Bombardier's Global 8000 has received UK regulatory clearance to operate at London City Airport, enabling the ultra-long-range business jet to connect directly to the capital's financial district from destinations including Singapore, Los Angeles and Buenos Aires. The approval takes effect immediately at one of the world's most operationally demanding airports for business jets.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (ticker: BBD.B). For full-year 2025, the company reported revenue of 9.55 billion dollars (8.17 billion euros) and net income of 899 million dollars (770 million euros).

London City Airport's steep approach requirement, in place for noise-abatement purposes, combined with its short runway of just over 1,500 metres, makes it one of the most challenging airports for business jets to access. The clearance to operate there was granted by the relevant UK aviation regulator, adding the Global 8000 to a limited list of ultra-long-range aircraft cleared for the airport.

Bombardier said the Global 8000's wing design, featuring leading-edge slats and dedicated braking systems, allows the aircraft to meet the airport's demanding approach and runway requirements.

"London City Airport's steep approach requirement for noise-abatement laws and its very short runway makes it amongst one of the world's most challenging airports. Access to this airfield is another testament to the Global 8000's engineering excellence," said Stephen McCullough, executive vice president of engineering, product development and Bombardier Defense.

Bombardier said the approval could save passengers between 60 and 90 minutes in ground transfer time compared with using airports such as Farnborough or Luton, both of which sit further from central London. The Global 8000 has a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km), positioning it among the fastest and longest-range aircraft in the business jet market.

For the sector, the approval reflects growing demand among ultra-long-range business jet operators for direct access to constrained, city-centre airports as manufacturers engineer aircraft specifically to meet their operational limits.

Source: Business Airport International / Tipranks