Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has secured steep approach certifications from Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its CS100 family of aircraft.

Enabling operators to manage the CS100 at challenging airports worldwide, the certifications were granted following the aircraft’s steep approach demonstration flights held last month at London City Airport (LCY), UK.

A direct flight involving the CS100 from LCY to JFK Airport in the US was also conducted as part of the demonstration flights.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be the first airline to operate the C Series aircraft at LCY Airport, one of most challenging airports in the world.

“Our crew successfully demonstrated as expected, the CS100 aircraft’s capability and manoeuvrability."

Bombardier product development vice-president François Caza said: “The latest technology in aural and head-up display systems on-board the CS100 aircraft is used by the crew during the approach and landing phases of flight.

“To be certified for operations at LCY, we had to show that the aircraft could perform at a greater approach angle, take-off and land on the airport’s short runway and meet the local noise requirements.

“Our crew successfully demonstrated as expected, the CS100 aircraft’s capability and manoeuvrability. The aircraft now joins our Q400 turboprop aircraft, as well as our Challenger 650, Global 5000 and Global 6000 business jets which already access this challenging airport regularly.”

According to Bombardier, its CS100 aircraft has the capability to double the range that can be flown viably from LCY, opening new routes for airlines and passengers.

Image: CS100 Aircraft at London City Airport in the UK. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.