Archive for the ‘Oxford airport’ Category
Europe’s newest regional operator, Varsity Express is to offer a second daily service (weekdays only) to Edinburgh Airport from London Oxford Airport from 5 April in response to demand – one month after its scheduled debut on 1 March. The airline is also adding a second destination from Oxford – to Newcastle Airport. Flights will initially run every afternoon from Monday to Friday, with introductory fares from £49 one way, including taxes and charges. New Timetable effective 5 April 2010:
All Varsity flights will be operated by BAE Jetstream 31 aircraft and the company is close to finalising the use of a second aircraft. Both will be based at London Oxford Airport, where Varsity is taking office space. Promotion of the Oxford-Edinburgh route started last month and forward bookings have exceeded expectations. To book Edinburgh airport parking and Edinburgh airport hotels click on the links. Varsity Express will make its commercial debut as a new, full service regional airline operator on 1 March 2010, offering weekday flights between London Oxford and Edinburgh Airports. The new flights will be operated by 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft. Timetable (Monday to Friday) LNQ601 Depart Oxford 08:00 Arrive Edinburgh 09:30 Varsity Express is a new name in UK aviation. Its management pledges to deliver fast, affordable air travel and “an end to the frustration of crowded, congested airports, baggage charges and endless additional fees that the big airlines charge.” The company is being run by an experienced management team, and backed by a private consortium of investors in the UK and Spain whose interests centre around property development and the entertainment industry. The airline is well funded with sufficient reserves to launch what will be the first of a number of planned domestic routes over the coming year. Commercial Director Will Gilligan comments: “We have been looking to start a regular shuttle service on this sought after route for some time. Oxford is the third most visited English city by international visitors (10 million per annum) and Edinburgh is the second most popular destination, after London, in the UK.” “We have watched with interest the developments and investment at Oxford Airport and believe it is a perfect, untapped market with plenty of potential, offering splendid facilities designed for private jet clients, enabling us to offer our passengers quick check-in times. We anticipate carrying 6,500 passengers in our first year in a mix of 55% business, 45% travelling on leisure. ”  Twin Squirrel taking off from Denham Aerodrome - Photo courtesy of Helicopter Film Services Many UK businesses have turned to executive helicopters to get them around the gridlocked UK road network as this unprecedented winter weather takes its toll. PremiAir, the UK’s largest executive helicopter charter operator is actually reporting an upturn in operations as executives needing to get on with their normal business recognise the unique value of helicopters and their ability to get them quickly around the UK, even when major and regional airports are disrupted. PremiAir, now in its 30th year, has bases at Denham, Blackbushe, Oxford and Farnborough Airports in the UK. C.I. Travel Group has extended its summer service between Oxford Airport and Jersey for the 2010 season. The re-introduction of the service is due to the success of the summer 2009 launch flights on Saturday afternoons. “Following a successful first year of operation where we saw 93% of seats sold, we are delighted to be able to offer an extended season of operation for the Oxford Jersey route in 2010,” said Robert Mackenzie, Managing Director of C. I. Travel Group. “With flights operating in May & June, as well as in the high season, it will provide opportunities for those who prefer to travel outside of school holidays to enjoy the island in the spring and early summer. With many more UK holiday-takers deserting the Euro-zone in favour of a holiday closer to home, we believe that the route will continue to be popular with both new and existing clients in the Oxford area.” Direct flights between Oxford and Jersey will start again from 22 May 2010 and operate an extended summer season until 11 September 2010.
London Oxford Airport welcomed its first international scheduled service in 72 years when full-frills Swiss regional carrier Baboo commenced weekly flights to Geneva on Saturday. Among the passengers that boarded the first south-bound Bombardier Q400 advanced turboprop were several last minute bookings. Were it not for the new Oxford service they had faced waiting until Tuesday to get to Geneva owing to weather disruptions at congested airports and rail stations. “We were absolutely delighted they turned to Oxford,” said London Oxford Airport Managing Director Steve Jones. Baboo CEO Jacques Bankir flew back to Geneva with the first flight. “We have really been excited about this airport. It is ideal for Baboo. Our passengers have a stress-free experience, enjoying facilities designed for business aviation clients and it is a great complement to our 11 weekly services out of London City Airport.” He confirmed that Baboo plans a connecting flight from Geneva to Rome in the New Year that will connect with the Oxford departures. This is possible through the airline’s newly ratified codeshare partnership with Alitalia. Baboo’s flights from Oxford to Geneva are particularly aimed at ski traffic (no ski equipment surcharge) from the home counties, but they provide a user-friendly link between two international, high-tech destinations that are popular with tourists too. Ahead of the Geneva services London Oxford Airport invested in full winter kit, including runway de-icing and snow clearing equipment and built a modular baggage arrivals hall capable of handling 75 passengers and their luggage. The airport is also installing a fully computerized Departure Control System (DCS) which it hopes to have operational from mid January. London Oxford Airport has scooped the accolade of Best Business Aviation Airport 2009 from the Airport Operators Association (AOA). The AOA praised the airport management’s vision and commitment for successfully building an attractive business aviation facility within just 18 months and its owners for their ongoing commitment to investment in the facility. The award was presented to Oxford Airport’s Managing Director Steve Jones during the Association’s Annual Conference Dinner at London’s Hilton Metropole Hotel by Simon Calder, Travel Editor of The Independent. London Oxford Airport opened its oxfordjet business aviation terminal in July 2008. Today it is handling some 15 business aviation movements a day with increasing numbers of international visiting jets. Its prestigious new passenger terminal was part of an ongoing investment in the airport, which has also included a new runway, ILS, new jet apron, enhanced fire and rescue capability and new hangars. Its oxfordjet FBO facility is a fresh, modern exterior design. There are separate lounges for crews, along with VIP and VVIP zones for passengers, assuring maximum privacy. Private shower rooms, a crew kitchen and meeting rooms are provided, together with customs and immigration facilities. Check-in and security screening are convenient and swift, ensuring front door to take-off times are minimal. London Oxford Airport’s success continues into 2010 with the start of its first international ‘scheduled’ service with regional carrier Baboo of Switzerland commencing Saturday flights to Geneva from 19 December using Bombardier Q400 turboprops. The airport’s weekly summer service to Jersey also resumes for an extended season in 2010 after a popular run this summer.
Oxford Airport is to get its first international scheduled flights to Geneva this winter. Switzerland-based Baboo has that announced weekly flights between Oxford and Geneva will start on 19 December 2009 using Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Flights will operate on Saturdays with the scheduled times of: Depart Geneva 12:20 Arrive Oxford 13:20 All times are local London Oxford Airport Managing Director, Steve Jones said: “We are delighted to introduce Geneva as our first international scheduled service and see this as a major turning point in the future of the Airport – we are a niche facility bringing bespoke destinations within a stone’s throw of the Oxford and Thames Valley market. Baboo is a highly regarded Swiss regional carrier, their Q400 fleet is perfectly suited to niche markets like ours and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the airline.” Owners of dogs, cats and ferrets can now transport their pets on flights into London Oxford Airport from overseas under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). The airport has gained DEFRA approval as only the second General Aviation/Business Aviation Airport in the UK to be approved for the importation of domestic pets. Flights with pets on board can also be cleared through Oxford for onwards travel elsewhere into the UK. Following the announcement of this new capability, several aircraft operators, including helicopter charter companies, have already filed for route approvals to Oxford with the Animal Health Office. The first fully approved carriers are Netjets and Air Med. The Airport now anticipates a significant number of flights for London and Thames Valley-destined passengers but also those en-route to elsewhere in the UK for initial pet clearance at the airport. The airport team will check the pet’s passport, travel credentials and micro-chip with the owner or the pet’s escort in the cabin and once the paperwork has been cleared and stamped as required, the pet is free to disembark. All applications to enter a pet into the UK under the regulations of the PETS scheme must be received by email by the oxfordjet pet handling team at least 24-hours prior to flight departure to the UK, without exception. Oxford Airport’s smart Oxfordjet business aviation terminal was transformed into a wedding showcase as Living moved in last week to film its new series ‘Four Weddings’. Each episode of Four Weddings is an entertaining romp through four extremely different weddings. Four fun-loving couples, each planning a wedding or a civil partnership, take part in each episode of the show, attending the other weddings and judging them according to a set of criteria including venue, food, dress and overall presentation. All the participants are out to impress, as the couple who scores the most points wins a luxury dream honeymoon. “oxfordjet’s facilities provide the perfect backdrop for the reveal sequences of Four Weddings,” said David Surley, Oxford Airport’s Head of Customer Services. “The filming took place over two days with the brides first being filmed on the airport’s apron with glamorous executive jets in the background. Then the reveal interviews and winner sequences were filmed in the lounge, where the groom of the winning couple hops out of a limo and runs in to scoop up his partner!” The state-of-the-art oxfordjet facility is fast becoming known for its ‘Hollywood’ appeal. This is the second time ITV has filmed at the airport – part of the Girls Aloud Christmas Special was also filmed in the new terminal. Four Weddings (ten part series) is on Living from Monday 6th July at 9pm. Oxford Airport will get its first ‘scheduled’ charter flights this summer when C.I. Travel Group launches Saturday flights to Jersey from 11 July through to September 12 this year. The flights will be operated by Plymouth, UK-based Air Southwest using Bombardier Dash 8-300 50-seat turboprop aircraft. Flights depart Oxford at 1520, arriving Jersey at 1630. Jersey-Oxford flights commence from 18th July at 1345, arriving Oxford at 1455. Bookings can be made online at www.discoverjersey.com. |
