A SUCCESSFUL outcome to CityJet's examinership will be of major importance to London City Airport, the docklands airport bought a year ago by Dermot Desmond. Mr Desmond paid £14.5 million sterling with a further £9 million for adjoining land.

Yesterday, London City Airport managing director Mr Richard Gooding said the Dublin route operated by CityJet accounted for about 15 per cent of passenger traffic through the airport. Asked about the impact if the CityJet examinership were to fail to rescue the airline, Mr Gooding said: "It would be disappointing but not a matter of life or death."

Mr Gooding said passenger traffic was likely to be over 700,000 this year from 556,000 in 1995. Traffic had risen steadily this year and was currently running at 22,000 passengers a week, he added.

"The Dublin route is important but not vital. Before people suggested that London City Airport couldn't survive without the Dublin route. The Dublin route isn't a matter of life or death for us."

Mr Gooding declined to comment of London City Airport's performance under the Desmond ownership but said: "We're happy with the financial results and I'm sure our shareholders are happy."