London Oxford Airport leads bizav bounce back

London Oxford Airport has exceeded pre-pandemic traffic levels and is currently experiencing 30% more movements than in 2019, both overall and in business aviation. It surpassed Year 2020’s total movements by mid-September 2021 and is set to pass 7,500 movements in September, this week. It was already back to pre-Covid levels immediately after the lockdown ended, the comeback led principally by the big players and private owners. A new Piper M500, one of the first single-engined-turboprops on an UK AOC, available for four-passenger charter, moved in as a new based aircraft this month.

August proved to be its busiest month in 15 years, accounting for 7,180 monthly movements. July was also its highest ever for fuel uplifts.

“Remarkably, our recovery, in percentage terms, climbed ahead of our London centric peer airports and we’ve been able to retain our position as the fifth busiest UK business aviation airport,” said Head of Business Development James Dillon-Godfray.

Emphasising the widely-held belief business aviation would bounce back quicker, London Oxford Airport was even propelled into #59 place among Europe-wide airports this summer, handling more movements than many city airports, including Copenhagen, Lisbon and Stockholm. “In March, with UK airlines still crippled by restrictions, we found ourselves with the most unusual status – as the second busiest airport in the UK,” he added.

Airliner charter buoys growth

Movements were further bolstered by a number of large group charters, operated in safe ‘bubbles,’ all supported by pre-arranged on site Covid testing. 100-plus seat Embraer 190s (Moto GP Italy) and F1 Grand Prix (Europe-wide) continued to be regular visitors through the OxfordJet FBO.

Up until September, Nice led the list of a total 270 overseas destinations YTD, followed by Palma Mallorca, Geneva and Paris. Limitations on US traffic will lift from November and the airport is already fielding enquiries.

Busiest UK Airports 2021 *UK Civil Aviation Authority

January February March April May June July

1st Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow Heathrow

2nd Aberdeen Southend Oxford Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gloucestershire

3rd Stansted Oxford Aberdeen Oxford Oxford Stansted Oxford

4th East Midlands Aberdeen Gloucestershire Shoreham Biggin Hill Oxford Manchester

Professional pilot training is also up 37% on pre-pandemic, 2019 levels. While Airways Aviation moved out of the UK to focus its flight training out of France and Australia, Leading Edge Aviation, new to Oxford in early 2019, has grown its student intake to a 170-plus headcount. It was one of the first schools to re-open during the pandemic with students working in bubbles with their instructors.

Volare Aviation, the aviation services company headed by Dustin Dryden, expanded its Oxford-based fixed wing and executive helicopter fleet from three to 26 aircraft inside 18 months, including six ex-Babcock Espana AW109E helicopters it will retrofit inhouse and resell. The business also obtained a UK helicopter AOC last spring, under a new My Heli brand.

In a significant development, London Oxford Airport has committed a significant £10 million-plus investment in hangarage and key infrastructure in line with demands of its tenant companies.

The new bespoke hangar facilities will allow established companies, such as Airbus Helicopters, Volare Aviation and Jet Maintenance International (JMI) to expand their maintenance, engineering, modification, design and operational support services and also support next-gen aircraft.

New No 15 hangar opens in October

Its new 63,000 sqft (6,000m2) 140m long hangar (No.15), featuring two bays including rear offices, stores and workshops, capable of accommodating up to six of the largest Bombardier, Gulfstream or Dassault Falcon Jet models, simultaneously. This formally opens in October, taking the airport’s total hangarage to over 300,000 sq ft.

Also from 7 October, it welcomes a new airport café partner, The Aviation Station, focused on sustainable, locally sourced produce. The Bicester, Oxfordshire-based team, led by Martin Levy and Alexandra Evans, formed The Menu Guru, drawing on its experience from Absolute Taste, a well-known business aviation caterer, which formerly ran Farnborough Airport’s cafe. It will also be offering inflight catering, having specialised in this for the past 10 years.

Ongoing expansion included the creation of seven new ICAO/EASA/CAA-compliant helipads and a new £1m fuel farm, providing four times’ the previous capacity, holding 170,000 litres of Jet-A1, with space for two extra 85,000 litre tanks. New self-serve pumps are also currently being installed.

“We are keen to explore the introduction of SAF here,” said James Dillon-Godfray, acknowledging supply, availability and demand is a challenge currently, but it will

improve, “especially if we can encourage the big operators to take it and lead by example, when it’s available.”

A further new hangar – #16 – is anticipated for 2022, complemented by a new fire station and ground operations centre. Next year, a new taxiway re-alignment – in parallel with the runway, is also being explored.

“We need to be ready for the next-generation of hybrid/electric/eVTOL aircraft which are just a few years away,” highlighted James Dillon-Godfray, noting the airport was fielding enquiries from several innovators. Already, four Pipistrel electric aircraft are planned to be based at the airport in 12 months’ time.

A three to four eVTOL fast-charging port/skyport/vertiport could require about two megawatts of supply. Accordingly, the airport has opened dialogue with companies like Switzerland’s Green Motion and with regards to the supply of static and mobile charging points, he added.

The enhanced airport infrastructure was complemented by a 100-room Premier Inn hotel at the entrance of the airport at the Oxford Technology Park just before the pandemic, creating a well-supported new amenity on its doorstep.

London Oxford Airport highlighted its current and future plans as it hosted the first British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) physical networking event, since March 2020.

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 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

Emerald Media

Tel: +44 (0) 1420 560094

Mobile +44 (0) 7721 882939 E: communications@emeraldmedia.co.uk

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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