Oxford Airport Expecting Three-Fold Increase in Traffic During the Olympics

London Oxford Airport and the London Heliport, now under single ownership, will be exhibiting together at EBACE in Geneva during 13-16 May to highlight the synergies and ease of travel to interlining jet operators, especially during the London Olympics this summer.

The London Heliport will benefit from an exemption to the no-fly zone during the games, meaning that a large number of dignitaries and other VIPs will be able to use the Heliport as an easy access route.

London Oxford Airport will be working closely with resident helicopter operators, Capital Air Services with EC-135, EC-155 and S76 executive helicopters, and PremiAir who plan to base either a Twin Squirrel or Sikorsky S76 at Oxford.

For VIP ground transportation to London, or to the Olympic venues away from London, the airport has an arrangement with BMW-Rolls Royce to transport VVIPs by car from Oxford to London or other designated Olympic venues. For example, the rowing events will be at Windsor, just 45 minutes’ drive away.

“Arriving business jet passengers are more likely to want to go straight to their West End hotels first, not the Olympic venues,” said Business Development Director, James Dillon-Godfray. “And herein lies a challenge. Fast track VIP ground transportation via special lanes is going to be restricted to those invited by sponsors and the Olympic families. It does not matter how wealthy or famous they might be, all clients (bar ‘Olympic Family’ members) are going to have to get on public transport at some stage, but at least with a direct connection to the London Heliport or comfortable chauffeur car we can make their arrival into London as smooth as possible.”.

Ground transportation partner, First Class Cars has highlighted that further clarification on chauffeur drop-off zones for the Olympic Park zone is expected to be unveiled imminently.

Three Fold Traffic Increase

“Oxford Airport is anticipating a three-fold increase in business aviation traffic during the peak period of the games – up to 30 business jet rotations a day – and it is preparing to resource its operations and customer service personnel as required. The airport will have space to park up to 40 aircraft (assuming a typical mix of jet sizes),” Dillon-Godfray said. “The likes of London Luton, Biggin Hill and Farnborough are likely to fill up first and then we can expect a lot of phone calls asking if we have space, or indeed slots.”

As London Oxford is one of the airports outside of the restricted zones it means that it will not require the new notice periods for flight plans. Restrictions applying from 14 July to 15 August 2012 state that aircraft will not be allowed within the 'prohibited zone' - which stretches from White Waltham to beyond London City Airport.

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