London Oxford Airport has ambitions to be a leading centre for ‘green tech’ sectors

Seeks to establish a new £35m+ R&D Science Park

London Oxford Airport, the UK’s fifth-ranked busiest business aviation airport, is pivoting to offer a prospective new centre for innovation and green tech with a proposed new R&D science park at the entrance to the Airport. While focused on the burgeoning life sciences sector, it states the new facility would also appeal to new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) players and their affiliates, championing innovations in motors, batteries, composites, hydrogen, synthetic and alternative fuels, all of which are already evolving in the vicinity.

The planning hearing on the all-new Research and Development Science Park on land at the entrance to the airport in Kidlington is scheduled this week.

The estimated £35+ million initiative will aid and encourage the incubation of innovation and tech start-ups and spin-offs, typically from university-inspired projects.

The scheme proposes five new research and development buildings housed in a green campus environment, offering over 200,400 ft². It will feature a stand-alone café facility, within a generous new landscaped courtyard space. The Science Park will offer space for up to 17 tenants with units from around 7,700 ft², up to 56,300ft² for a complete building.

In readiness, the airport has already embarked on demolishing some old buildings, including the former 1960’s-era Oxford Aviation Services trainee accommodation block. The project will take an estimated 24 months to complete. Some of the positions will also have airside frontage, potentially more attractive for any aviation-related activities.

“While Cambridge has arguably been a frontrunner on courting many R&D enterprises and start-ups in the last couple of decades, Oxford has definitely caught up. It’s very much the most vibrant, top choice city now for fostering innovation,” said James Dillon-Godfray, Head of Business Development at London Oxford Airport. “This new initiative answers some of Oxfordshire’s demand for high-quality, laboratory-enabled space for technology and life science companies to grow and thrive.”

“The scheme will sit alongside similar developments right next door at the new Oxford Technology Park and Begbroke Science Park, further cementing Oxford’s leading position in the life science and R&D research sectors,” he added.

Furthermore, PWC has just highlighted “Oxford has been the highest performing city in our Index since 2017” in its Good Growth for Cities 2023 report.

London Oxford Airport – home to several next gen programmes

The eVTOL sector is starting to knock on London Oxford’s door, adding to Germany’s Lilium (through tenant operator Volare Aviation, which has 10 aircraft on order). Oxford already plays host to a sales office for Textron Aviation with its foray into electric aircraft through Pipistrel and its new eTextron brand. Last year PAL-V International, designers of the world’s first genuine ‘flying car’ took space at Oxford. The airport’s largest resident, Airbus Helicopters, has embarked on the building of a brand new £50 million hangar, bringing together all its Oxford activities into one, single, environmentally-efficient facility.

Due for completion in 2024, coinciding with Airbus Helicopters’ 50^th anniversary, its new site will cover 14-acres. Parent Airbus is advancing with a raft of technological innovations too through its Zero Emission Development Centre in South West UK as it works to introduce hydrogen-powered commercial flights by 2035.

Alternative fuel company OxCCU is new tenant

On the sustainable fuel front, London Oxford Airport is pleased to work new start-up OxCCU, which is developing technologies to create synthetic fuels. To facilitate its research, the company is building a test facility compound adjacent to the airport’s new £1.5m fuel farm this summer.

About London Oxford Airport

London Oxford Airport is wholly owned by the Reuben Brothers. Reuben Brothers’ investment activities include private equity, real estate ownership and development. Businesses include shopping centres, data centres, racecourses, public houses, hotels, technology and media businesses. At the end of February 2012, the Reubens purchased the London Heliport at London Battersea, the UK’s only CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) licensed heliport. The Heliport is a 22-minute helicopter ride from London Oxford Airport. London Oxford Airport has been one of the fastest growing airports for private business aviation in the United Kingdom over the last ten years.

For further information contact:

James Dillon-Godfray

Head of Business Development

London Oxford Airport

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 290 710 E: jdg@londonoxfordairport.com

@LOXOXFEGTK @OxfordAirportUK

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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