Oxford (Kidlington) Airport
the UK, with 223,270 movements – just 10% fewer movements than Heathrow”.
schools (40% of traffic), recreational general aviation, business, private and
utility helicopters and business aviation, consisting of air taxis, chartered and private jets and turboprops (10-15% of traffic).”
operates aircraft on a sole-use chartered or private basis. This has been driven
by a significant decline in pilot training activity upon which the airport has
been dependent for most of its 70 year history.”
In August 2009 the airport was rebranded as London Oxford Airport. The move attracted much press comment, and criticism from Oxford Civic Society, which described the new name as misleading; the airport is 59 miles (95 km) from Marble Arch. However, it was argued that highlighting proximity to London would make the airport more attractive to the overseas business aviation community.
(See news articles commenting on this below, under News).
under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). It is one of only two UK business aviation centres to offer this service.
“London Oxford Airport will commence its first international scheduled services
to and from Geneva commencing Saturday 19th December 2009 and each Saturday thereafter.
Ski season only.
Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. One of Switzerland’s favourite airlines, Baboo has carried
well over a million passengers since its establishment five years ago. Baboo offer a ‘full frills’ service with complimentary drinks, canapés and a generous
baggage allowance included within the price. Costs start from £89 each way, all
inclusive of fees and taxes.”
of all handling and baggage fees.” May to September.
business and private aviation centre which can host limited scheduled flights.
We continue to explore niche opportunities for commercial services that can easily
be undertaken within the facilities available.”
Airport Owner:
District Council, our local authority, highlighting all the anticipated ‘major’
developments for the foreseeable future, in practice, a 10+ year vision. That
plan highlighted key requirements for more hangar space, other buildings and the
installation of precision navigation equipment, namely an Instrument Landing System,
along with other infrastructure changes to upgrade and modernise the airport.”
2009)
Air Traffic Movements
2000 122,588
1998 156,618
Air Freight:
Airport Contact Details:
Oxford Airport,
operations per annum.
Flight Training Circuits – limits on circuits for training purposes after 23:00 hrs and before 07:00
hrs each day.
Total Annual Movements – No more than 160,000 per annum of which no more than 500 can be Stage II or
noisier jets and no more than 2,000 should be 50 tonne or heavier jets.
Static Testing of Jet Engines – restricted to a specified location on the airfield and limited to no more
than 6 hours weekdays and 3 hours at weekends. No such activity should take place
before 07:00 hrs or after 19:00 hrs on any day.
Noise and Environmental Issues
(will default to answer phone if busy)
Fax: 01865 290 605
e-mail: operations@oxfordairport.co.uk or online form
runway length from 1200m (3,937ft) to 1319m (4,327ft) allowing for a significant
improvement in terms of access for charter and public transport operations.”
Some recent news stories about Oxford Airport:
Biggin Hill and Oxford airports sue RAF Northolt over its expansion into commercial private jet flights
Two small UK airports that depend on business jets, Oxford and Biggin Hill, are suing the military airport, RAF Northolt because it has expanded into civilian flights. It has done this to make money for the MoD, after their budget cuts. They claim that, because Northolt is operated by the MoD and therefore taxpayer funded, it has an unfair competition advantage. The expansion at Northolt also affects the number of business jet flights that Luton and Farnborough can get, and their flight numbers have fallen in recent years. In May 2013 Northolt said it would begin to more than double the number of civilian flights from a self-imposed cap of 7,000 to 17,500 by 2016. Of that total, military movements will remain at about 5,500 a year. Northolt is the closest private jet airport to central London. The MD of Biggin Hill said: “We, like Oxford, like Farnborough, have all been through a very tough time and they’ve pulled the rug from underneath us. It’s not a level playing field.” They claim Northolt has about 15% of the London market, and are cheaper as they don’t have to meet the same safety standards as commercial airports.
Click here to view full story…
Oxford Airport reports 12% growth
26.4.2010 Oxford Airport increased its visiting, non-resident jet movements,
year on year by 31.6% and seen its business aviation movements increase 12% during
the period April 2009 to March 2010. The airport is now handling an average 20
business aircraft movements a day. the first quarter brought a 25% rise in business
aviation traffic, compared with the first quarter of 2009. Click here to view full story …..
Varsity Express suspends Oxford to Edinburgh route
8th March 2010 “Varsity Express regrettably announce…the suspension of scheduled services
on their Oxford to Edinburgh route. The reason for this suspension is due to
operational issues between Varsity Air Services Ltd and the airline and AOC holder
who have been contracted to operate the Jetstream 31 type on our behalf and that
was being used on the route. All further ticket sales have been suspended until
further notice.”
Click here to view full story…
New Oxford airline to fly second route – Newcastle
from its Oxford base.The carrier plans to serve Newcastle in addition to a service to Edinburgh which
is due to start on March 1st.
Daily Newcastle flights on weekdays will be introduced from April 5. The distance
is all of 255 miles. Click here to view full story …..
Edinburgh to Oxford flights: Martin Halstead is back in the air
7th February 2010 Martin Halstead’s Varsity Express will start flights from Oxford to Edinburgh
next month. He would not disclose the identity of Varsity’s backers but they are
understood to be a group of British businessmen with property interests in the
Canary Islands. The flights — in an 18-seat Jetstream — will run only on weekdays.
Halstead is looking at adding another route. (Times) Click here to view full story…
Oxford to gain Scottish air link to Edinburgh
20th January 2010 A start-up regional airline plans to run flights between Oxford and Edinburgh.
Flights by Varsity Express will be operated by 18-seat Jetstream 31 aircraft and
will run daily on weekdays from March 1. Varsity will offer a business class style
service, serving complimentary tea, coffee and water plus a small snack. They
expect to carry 6,500 passengers in the 1st year in a mix of 55% business, 45%
travelling on leisure. (TravelMole) Click here to view full story…
04.01.10 Award for Oxford Airport
its own right and I find it insulting it is being considered just another offshoot
of London.
on the country. Anyone who wanted to go to London wouldn’t want to end up in
Kidlington.”
new …
Oxford airport’s business aviation centre on course for summer launch
27th March 2008 Businesses in the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Northampton arc are promised greatly improved
transport linkages when Oxford Airport completes construction of a brand new business
aviation centre this summer. The new facility replaces the existing general aviation
facility. (Business Weekly)