Archive for the ‘Oxford airport’ CategoryMike Sparrow, Airport Manger at London Oxford Airport, this week signed a purchase agreement for a new state of the art fire tender with Seville based ITURRI Group. The fire engine is the next generation in the ITURRI family of fire tenders and will be the first of its kind to be delivered to an airport in the UK. London Oxford Airport chose to invest around £500,000 as part of a continuing strategy to upgrade its fire services. “Our existing fleet is aging and does not reflect the modern facilities of the airport,” said Mike Sparrow. “ITURRI was willing to work to our specifications and listen to our unique requirement, that’s why we chose them. Our ultimate goal is to bring three new engines to our fleet within the next five years as part of our continuing commitment to improve Oxford Airport’s safety services.” The new vehicle, which will be delivered to Oxford Airport in Spring 2011, includes a number of specific solutions for the airport market including a lower centre of gravity to improve vehicle stability; increased power from a 6×6 chassis which also includes off road capability; and a slightly lighter body made of a recyclable composite known as EcoPolyFire, which allows for greater water carriage and improved acceleration. For the crew a new cab design offers improved space, visibility and safety. A unique factor specific to the UK market, is the inclusion of an external monitor platform which sits just behind the cab. This provides the operator an external space from which to fully view an emergency situation and from which important safety information can be passed to the rest of the crew. London Oxford Airport saw the start of this season’s first weekly charter to Jersey on Saturday with two seats short of a full 50-seat passenger complement. For the first time onward connections to Guernsey are available, providing holiday-makers with the option of a twin-centre holiday. Timetable: Flights leave London Oxford Airport’s state-of-the-art oxfordjet business aviation terminal at 13:00 and arriving in Jersey a little over an hour later at 14:05. Return flights depart Jersey at 11:20 and arrive in Oxford at 12:25. Flight connections from Jersey to Guernsey are an option for those wishing to further explore the Channel Islands. Jersey flights from London Oxford Airport operate with seat only and inclusive holidays being sold exclusively by C.I. Travel Group. Flights are being operated by CityJet (VLM) with a modern and comfortable 50-seater Fokker 50 and will run for an extended period through the high season until 11 September. London Oxford Airport has announced a 31.6% increase in non-resident jet movements, and a 12% rise in business aviation movements during the period April 2009 to March 2010. The airport has also seen jet fuel sales at its business aviation facility oxfordjet increase by 47% during the same period. The airport is now handling an average 20 business aircraft movements a day. “This will equate to approximately 6,000 business aviation movements a year, assuming continuation of the current rate – an achievement we are very pleased with,†commented Managing Director, Steve Jones. Furthermore, starting the year 2010 on a high, despite the challenging weather conditions, the first quarter brought a 25% rise in business aviation traffic, compared with the first quarter of 2009. Oxford Airport remained open every day during the two weeks of snow and ice in early January, unlike several peer airports in the UK. C.I. Travel Group, is expanding its popular summer service between London Oxford Airport and Jersey for 2010, with flights starting on 22 May. For the first time it is offering onward connections to Guernsey, providing holiday-makers with the option of a twin-centre holiday. The addition of flights during May and June follows the success of direct Jersey services introduced last summer, which marked the first commercial airline operations at the airport for 20 years. Jersey flights this year will operate weekly on Saturdays through to mid September: The flight times for the 2010 season have been brought forward slightly to lunchtime departures, leaving London Oxford at 13:00 and arriving in Jersey at 14:05. Return flights depart Jersey at 11:20 and arrive in Oxford at 12:25.
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. |
