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.