Oxford Airport business aviation centre set for summer launch

Date added: 27 May, 2008

27.5.2008   (UK Airport News)

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 and will offer
more space and a fresh, modern design.

The airport is working toward offering a fully fledged executive handling operation,
for which management has recently recruited a customer services manager and up
to five customer service representatives.

Oxford Airport managing director, Steve Jones said: ‘Business aviation is the
most buoyant sector in the market right now and we are extremely well placed to
build on the activity we are currently generating.‘

‘We have a lower cost base, compared with the London airports which cater for
business aviation, are an hour’s drive from the west end of London and importantly,
we have slot availability to offer an extremely appealing alternative.’

Overlooking the main business aircraft apron, the airport’s new facility will
give crews easy access to their aircraft, offering amenities more akin to those
in a smart ‘boutique’ hotel. Separate lounges will be provided for crews with additional rest areas, along
with VIP and ‘VVIP’ zones for passengers, assuring maximum anonymity and privacy.

Private shower rooms, a crew kitchen and meeting rooms, together with police,
customs and immigration facilities will also be provided for within the new facility.
The new business terminal will offer a relaxing environment with a contemporary
twist and will cater for fly-in board meetings with private meeting rooms available
for hire.

NASP security compliance (passenger and baggage security screening) will be available
to charter operations, whilst the enhanced scale of the terminal will allow for
the occasional charter of small regional aircraft (up to 50-seat capacity), which
are now welcome at Oxford with its new runway and the anticipated higher rescue
and fire fighting category.

From March, Oxford Airport will be fully licensed from 06:30 to 22:30s whilst
access is permitted from 06:00 to midnight. This gives Oxford a notable advantage
over other business airports such as Farnborough, London City, Biggin Hill and
Northolt.

Oxford Airport has the capacity to handle up to 160,000 movements a year. In
2007, it only saw 50,000, the lowest on record, of which 36% was flying school
traffic from Oxford Aviation Academy.

27.05.08 Oxford Airport business aviation centre set for summer launch

Posted: Tuesday, May 27th, 2008. Filed in News about Airports.