# History London City opened in 1987 as part of the Royal Docks redevelopment, purpose-built to serve business travellers close to central London. ## Royal Docks project London City Airport was conceived as part of the regeneration of the derelict Royal Docks in east London and opened in 1987. ## Business-airport identity Its location near Canary Wharf and the City made short-haul business travel the airport's defining niche, especially before high-speed rail and videoconferencing changed some business-trip patterns. ## Modern role The airport has broadened into leisure routes while retaining its central-location advantage and compact-terminal model. ## Fun facts - London City was the **first completely new airport built in the UK after the Second World War**. - It was constructed in just **18 months** and cost £34 million when it opened in 1987. - In its first full year, 1988, it handled only about **133,000 passengers** — tiny compared with the millions it would later serve. See London City's [30th-anniversary history](https://www.londoncityairport.com/media-centre/press-releases/london-city-airport-celebrates-30th-anniversary). --- ## Links here - [London City Airport](page:536)