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.

In a newly ratified agreement, all private jet passengers flying in and out of Oxford Airport will have ready access to Oxford Air Services’ (OAS) fleet of executive helicopters.

oxfordjet, which recently opened its brand new business aviation terminal, will market OAS helicopter services as part of its new customer services offering.  All bookings and enquiries will be processed by the oxfordjet Customer Services Team, located at the new facility.

OAS provides luxury helicopter travel utilising its fleet of twin and single-engine aircraft with capacity to carry up to nine passengers.  OAS will run shuttle services from Oxford Airport to the primary business airports around London, including The London Heliport (approximate 25 minutes’ flying time) Farnborough, plus the major London terminals at Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton airport, Stansted and across the Channel to Paris and other European destinations.   OAS also provides helicopters for sporting events and race days throughout the UK.

Steve Jones, Oxford Airport’s Managing Director, said:  “Oxford Airport will continue to enhance its facilities for the business traveller.  Our costs are considerably lower than the usual London airport options and we have no capacity limitations or slot constraints.  This, together with OAS’ new helicopter transfer services, makes oxfordjet a serious contender in the UK’s business aviation sector.”

Oxfordjet has been unveiled as the name of Oxford Airport’s brand new first class business aviation terminal. Building work on the new facility started last month and is on schedule for completion mid July.

The Oxfordjet facility, which will cater for private jet traffic crew and passengers, will have triple the space of the existing general aviation terminal, with a fresh, modern design and amenities akin to a smart boutique hotel. The new terminal represents the first phase of a major investment by Oxford Airport’s joint owners, international property developers the Reuben Brothers and Dawnay Day, who purchased it last summer from BBA Aviation.

“We are excited about the progress of the new Oxfordjet facility which will enable us to further build on the business aviation activity we are enjoying,” said Steve Jones. “We have a lower cost base, compared with the London airports which cater for business aviation, are less than an hour’s drive from the west end of London and importantly, we have slot availability,” he added.

Overlooking the main business aircraft apron, Oxfordjet will give crews easy access to their aircraft. 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, bar and meeting rooms, together with 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.

NASP security compliance (passenger and baggage security screening) will be available to public transport operations, whilst the enhanced scale of the terminal will allow for the occasional charter of regional airliners, which are now welcome at Oxford with its new wider and strengthened runway.

Oxford Airport has announced the appointment of David Surley as its new Customer Services Manager. He will join the airport’s management team next month from Air Mauritius, where since he has steered the airline’s sales and marketing strategy for the UK and Ireland, managing relationships with the travel trade.

At Oxford Airport he will take responsibility for customer liaison at the new business aviation terminal, on schedule to open in July.

Oxford Airport’s new business terminal represents the first phase of a major investment by Oxford Airport’s new owners, property developers, the Reuben Brothers and Dawnay Day. They purchased the airport last summer from BBA Aviation.

Just over an hour’s drive away from the west end of London, Oxford Airport represents a very alternative to the established ‘London’ airport choices.