Oxford Airport#History

The site was originally purchased in 1935 by Oxford City Council to act as municipal airport, and it became operational in June 1938 with a formal inauguration in July 1939.{{cite book|first=John|last=Amor|title=Well, I didn't know that! An ABC of interesting facts and figures about Kidlington|publisher=Kidlington & District Historical Society|year=2022|isbn=978-1-9160422-2-3|chapter=Airfield|page=5}} Following Royal Air Force use (as RAF Kidlington) during World War II, it became established as a centre for aviation education, charter and maintenance facilities.

The following units were here at some point:{{cite web|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/kidlington-oxford/ |title=Kidlington (Oxford) |publisher=Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust|access-date=17 May 2020}}

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• No. 52 Squadron RAF
• No. 167 Squadron RAF
• No. 239 Squadron RAF
• No. 411 Squadron RCAF

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;Units

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• No. 1 Air Crew Holding Unit RAF
• No. 3 Maintenance Unit RAF
• No. 4 Glider Training School RAF
• No. 5 Glider Training School RAF
• No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAF
• No. 15 Service Flying Training School RAF
• No. 20 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF
• No. 26 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF
• No. 42 (Maintenance) Group RAF
• No. 96 Maintenance Unit RAF
• No. 101 (Glider) Operational Training Unit RAF
• No. 102 (Glider) OTU RAF
• No. 265 Maintenance Unit RAF
• No. 2792 Squadron RAF Regiment

}}

By 1968, it had become the second busiest airfield in the UK, with 223,270 movements – just 10% fewer than Heathrow. For 5 years just after World War II (1951–1956) Kidlington was base of operations for the Oxford Gliding Club. They later moved due to an increase of powered aircraft activity. They relocated to RAF Weston-On-The-Green.{{cite web|title=Airport History|url=http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/home/airport_history.htm|website=London Oxford Airport|publisher=Oxford Aviation Services Ltd|access-date=3 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428155709/http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/home/airport_history.htm|archive-date=28 April 2016}}

In 1981, the airport freehold was sold by the council and later owned by BBA Aviation plc. In July 2007 the airport was sold for £40m to property entrepreneurs David and Simon Reuben.{{cite news | url=http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2788683.ece | location=London | work=The Independent | first=David | last=Prosser | title=Reubens brothers buy Oxford airport | date=21 July 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184418/http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2788683.ece | archive-date=30 September 2007 | df=dmy-all }}

A new Saturday-only summer service to Jersey, operated by Air Southwest, ran from July to September 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.airtransportnews.aero/article.pl?id=15165|title=Air Southwest to operate Oxford-Jersey flights|access-date=25 February 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823060909/http://www.airtransportnews.aero/article.pl?id=15165|archive-date=23 August 2009}} The summer service came back in 2010, operated by CityJet.

In August 2009 the airport was rebranded as London Oxford Airport despite its distance from the capital. The move attracted much press comment,[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/aug/18/oxford-airport-london-short-break-flight The Guardian : 18 August 2009 : New York, Paris...Oxford?] Retrieved 20 August 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20090822194437/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/6054748/London-Oxford-Airport---a-tale-of-two-cities.html The Telegraph : 19 August 2009 : London Oxford Airport – a Tale of Two Cities] Retrieved 20 August 2009[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6801113.ece The Times : 19 August 2009 : Plane Speaking]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Retrieved 20 August 2009 and criticism from the Oxford Civic Society, which described the new name as misleading;[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8205130.stm British Broadcasting Corporation : 17 August 2009 : London Airport Name Change Row] Retrieved 19 August 2009 the airport is {{convert|60|mi|km}} from Marble Arch in central London and generally considered to be well outside the London area.[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4548731.Outrage_at_airport_rebranding/?ref=mc Oxford Mail : Outrage at Airport Rebranding] However, it was argued that highlighting proximity to London would make the airport more attractive to the overseas business aviation community, and the airport, as of 2016, hosts the fourth busiest business aviation handling facility (FBO) in the UK.{{cite news |title=London Oxford Airport Achieves Steady Growth and Sees More Middle East Arrivals |url=https://www.reubenbrothers.com/london-oxford-airport-achieves-steady-growth-and-sees-more-middle-east-arrivals/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Reuben Brothers |date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106095153/https://www.reubenbrothers.com/london-oxford-airport-achieves-steady-growth-and-sees-more-middle-east-arrivals/ |archive-date=6 November 2021 |url-status=live}}

In October 2009, London Oxford Airport was approved as a UK entry point for pets, under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/4678064.Airport_offers_VIP_treatment_for_pets/ Oxford Mail : Airport offers VIP treatment for pets.] Retrieved 12 October 2009 It was one of only two UK business aviation centres to offer this service at the time.

Swiss airline Baboo's weekly Saturday service from Oxford to Geneva commenced in December 2009. The service was augmented by a link to Rome through Alitalia Airlines; passengers were thus able to travel from Oxford to Rome, via Geneva.[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4787891.Oxford_Airport_makes_Italian_connection/?ref=mr/ Oxford Mail : Oxford Airport makes Italian connection.] Retrieved 10 December 2009

In January 2010 the airport announced the launch of daily flights to Edinburgh to be operated by new start-up, Varsity Express. However flights were suspended within a week, and the airline ceased operations on 8 March 2010.[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/5050208.Edinburgh_flights_grounded_a_week_after_launch/ Oxford Mail:Edinburgh Flights Grounded A Week After Launch] Retrieved 11 March 2010 A spokesman for Oxford Airport later confirmed that talks were under way with other operators, with a view to re-establishing the Oxford-Edinburgh route.[http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/business/news/5066767.The_fall_of_Varsity_Express/ Oxford Mail : The fall of Varsity Express] Retrieved 20 March 2010 It was emphasised that only well-established operators would be invited to service the route.

Plans for a {{convert|17800|m2|abbr=on}} expansion of high-strength apron and a new {{convert|4400|m2|abbr=on}} hangar were outlined at the end of July 2010.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-10817698/ BBC News:London Oxford Airport sets out £2.2m expansion plan] Retrieved 2010-30-07 The intention was to create capacity for up to 40 medium to large executive jets, in order to cater for major public events such as the Olympic Games.

In January 2012, Manx2 announced the start of a scheduled service from Oxford to the Isle of Man, beginning in May 2012. By 2013, this became a short-term seasonal service focused around the Isle of Man TT motorcycling event. From March 2013 to August 2013, Minoan Air flew from Oxford to both Dublin and Edinburgh.

File:LEA Fleet.jpg

File:LOA Main Apron.jpg

Training flights comprise 35% of the airport's activity; mostly from Leading Edge Aviation, CAE Oxford and Pilot Flight Training. Business aviation, both private and charter, comprises 10% of operations, and the remaining 55% is mainly private and recreational general aviation activity.

The airport's proximity (about {{convert|25|miles}}) to Silverstone Circuit attracts an increase in business aviation activity during the British Grand Prix. As well as the Formula One event, the Moto GP also brings air charter flights for passengers and teams attending the event.{{Cite web |last=Support |title=London Oxford Airport at the Heart of Formula 1 {{!}} Reuben Brothers |url=https://www.reubenbrothers.com/769/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |language=en-GB}}

Principal companies based at Oxford Airport include CAE Oxford, Leading Edge Aviation,{{Cite web|title=Leading Edge Aviation|url=https://leadingedgeaviation.com/the-academy/}} Airbus Helicopters, Volare Aviation, Go Fly Oxford,{{cite web|url=http://www.goflyoxford.co.uk/|title=Learn to Fly – Flying Lessons & Pilot Training in Oxford & London|website=www.goflyoxford.co.uk|access-date=25 February 2018}} Pilot Flight Training{{cite web|url=http://www.pilotflighttraining.com/|title=Pilot Flight Training – Flying Lessons – Trial Flying Lesson – Oxford – Oxfordshire- Home – Pilot Flight Training|website=Pilot Flight Training|access-date=25 February 2018}} and Capital Air Services.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalairservices.co.uk/|title=Private helicopter charter and management – Capital Air Services|website=Capital Air Services|access-date=25 February 2018}}

In December 2009, Oxford was voted the Best British Business Aviation Airport at the Airport Operators Association Annual Awards Ceremony in London.

In late 2021, a new hangar was completed. At {{convert|63000|sqft}} and {{convert|140|m}} long, it can hold several Bombardier Global 7500, Gulfstream G650/G700/G800 and Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft, complete with an attached office block. Seven helipads were built at the same time.{{Cite web |title=London Oxford to build new MRO facility and hangar |url=https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/london-oxford-to-build-new-mro-facility-and-hangar/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Corporate Jet Investor |language=en-US}}

A new Fuel Farm Facility was opened in early 2022, allowing for an increased capacity of Jet A1 and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).{{Cite web |title=OXFORD AIRPORT {{!}} London Oxford Airport Embarks on Major Development Programme |url=https://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/airport-development-programme/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |language=en-GB}} A new airside Self Service Avgas facility was also installed, allowing for visiting light aircraft to easily refuel using a Credit Card.

In 2021 the airport upgraded its Rescue Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) Category to CAT 6, allowing for short notice diversions and acceptance of larger aircraft to use the airport, such as the Boeing 737-700 BBJ, Airbus A320 and Embraer E-Jet E2 family. Upgrades include a new Fire Station (opened in 2023) and 3 new Fire Tenders to complement.{{Cite web |title=LinkedIn Post |url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7044672061780152320 |website=LinkedIn}}

The airport has considered new scheduled routes, including flights to Amsterdam, Belfast, Edinburgh, Frankfurt Airport, Glasgow, Jersey, Munich and Paris. These markets are said to be the more viable routes for the airport. In December 2015, the UK government confirmed funding support for a proposed reinstatement of the Oxford – Edinburgh route.{{cite web|url=http://www.therouteshop.com/london-oxford-airport/#routesTab|title=London Oxford Airport (OXF) – Unserved Routes in the Route Shop|website=www.therouteshop.com|access-date=25 February 2018}}

However, the primary focus today is the London region business aviation market where the airport is the sixth busiest for this sector in the UK, but hosts the fourth-busiest FBO (Fixed-Base Operation – VIP aircraft handling facility) with over 5,500 business aircraft movements a year. Within the private and business aviation sector, the airport handled over 8,000 private passengers in 2015 whilst such flights were originating from or destined for well over 50 different overseas airports including the US, Canada, African and Middle-Eastern cities.

A joint construction of a new MRO facility is underway for the UK headquarters of Airbus Helicopters. The {{convert|14|acre|adj=on}}, £40+ million site was opened in 2024 by William, Prince of Wales.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title=Oxford: Royal surprise as £50m Airbus Helicopter HQ opened |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce383332y0do |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

The northern taxiway has been rerouted and extended to the end of the runway, removing the need for backtracking for departure, and moving the noise away from local residents. The first phase was completed and the first aircraft used the taxiway on 8 November 2022.{{Cite tweet |title=Register |url-access=limited |user=oxfordairportuk |number=1589918056184094720 |url=https://twitter.com/oxfordairportuk/status/1589918056184094720 |access-date=2022-11-11 |language=en}} The second phase of the taxiway was operational from May 2023.

The main runway (Code 3C) is fully grooved and {{convert|1552|m|abbr=on|0}}.{{Cite web |title=eAIS Package United Kingdom |url=https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk/htmlAIP/Publications/2022-10-06-AIRAC/html/index-en-GB.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=www.aurora.nats.co.uk}} In 2007 the airport re-surfaced, strengthened and widened the main runway, taxiways and aprons, and installed new airfield ground lighting and a CAT 1 instrument landing system (ILS). In early 2012, a new Thales primary and secondary radar system was installed.

In 2008 a new £2.5m business aviation terminal was completed (FBO) and is operated by OxfordJet. The airport can handle aircraft up to and including the Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ series. For the business aviation operator, the airport is an approximately 90-minute drive time from the West End area of central London but offers helicopter shuttles in 25 minutes to central London's Battersea Heliport which is co-owned with London Oxford Airport.{{Cite web |title=OXFORD AIRPORT {{!}} London Heliport & Helicopter Shuttle |url=https://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/london-heliport-shuttle/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |language=en-GB}}

Oxford Airport has a seven-day Oxford Airport Shuttle bus service to and from Oxford Parkway railway station, Oxford city railway station and Oxford bus station. Other local bus services operated by the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach West connect the airport to the town. Although Oxford Airport is only about {{convert|1|km|mi|1}} from the Cherwell Valley Line, it has no direct rail service. The nearest railway stations are Oxford Parkway, {{rws|Hanborough}}, {{rws|Tackley}} and {{rws|Islip}}.{{cite web|title=Transport links to Oxford Airport|url=http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/travel/transport.htm|website=London Oxford Airport|access-date=25 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026080746/http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/travel/transport.htm|archive-date=26 October 2016}}

The airport is off the A44 and A4260 roads which both lead to Oxford city centre, and it is about 7 miles or 11 km from junction 9 of the M40 motorway.

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=OXF}}

• In 1941, pioneer aviator Amy Johnson went off course while on a flight to Oxford Airport from Blackpool and crashed in the Thames Estuary.
• On 6 December 2003, three people were killed at Oxford Airport when a Socata TBM 700 crashed while on approach. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch found no cause for the crash.[http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/N30LT_5-05.pdf AAIB Bulletin No: 5/2005. Ref EW/C2003/12/03 (PDF)] There were no technical problems with the plane. The plane went into an uncontrolled roll and crashed, killing Paul-Louis Halley, a French billionaire, his wife and the pilot.
• An Oxford Aviation Training aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in August 2006.[http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Piper%20PA-28-161%20Cherokee%20Warrior%20II,%20G-BYKR%2002-07.pdf AAIB Bulletin No: 2/2007, G-BYKR. Ref EW/C2006/08/06 (PDF)] Retrieved 17 October 2009 The PA28 Piper Cherokee breached the airport's perimeter fence, and came to a stop upside down on the adjoining public road. Despite significant aircraft damage and fuel leakage, no fire ensued, and no-one was hurt in the incident.
• On 15 January 2010, at about 1400GMT, a Piper PA-31 Navajo crashed by the A4095 (near the airport), killing two people. Four crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the South Central Ambulance Service, attended, but the fire was not put out for 1 hour and 40 minutes due to the icy conditions and remote location making laying hoses difficult. The UK's AAIB investigated the accident.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8461861.stm | work=BBC News | title=Two people killed in plane crash | date=15 January 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Piper%20PA-31P%20Pressurised%20Navajo,%20N95RS%2011-2010.pdf|title=Piper PA-31P Pressurised Navajo, N95RS|publisher=AAIB|date=November 2010|access-date=7 September 2014}}

• Airports of London
• List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies
• List of former Royal Air Force stations
• List of Royal Air Force stations
• Oxford-Cambridge Arc
• RAF Brize Norton

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{{commons category-inline|London Oxford Airport}}

• [http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/ Official website]

{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}

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Category:1935 establishments in England

Category:Transport in Oxfordshire

Category:Buildings and structures in Oxfordshire

Category:David and Simon Reuben

Oxford

Category:Airports established in 1935

Category:Kidlington

Category:Airports in England

Category:Business aircraft

Category:Privately owned airports