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Oxford, 1 February 2003 - Oxford Airport announced today a number of major changes to this key UK general aviation airport which will significantly benefit the aviation community.
For many years the airport has been run principally for the benefit of the training school, Oxford Aviation Training (formally the Oxford Air Training School), which once saw over 250,000 movements a year as the UK’s fourth busiest airport. Today however, the school has gradually moved VFR operations over to its sister operation in Tyler, Texas such that movements this year will have dropped from around 160,000 to just 80,000 by the year’s end – a 50% reduction. For the integrated students there will also be a higher level of simulator work using three new FNTP II simulators which will contribute to the overall reduction.
As a consequence of this, Oxford Airport’s owner, BBA Group plc, has transferred the day to day airfield management away from the school and has set up a separate business unit with a new team to develop the airfield for the benefit of the general and business aviation communities.
Throughout 2003, aircraft access to the airport will be significantly improved, whilst parking and hangarage are to be enhanced and expanded. A building adjacent to the tower is undergoing refurbishment now to offer the airfield reception, operations facilities, visiting crew offices with internet and weather terminals, lounges and a meeting room. The airfield already has a restaurant, café and sports centre on site with a new pilot’s shop due in February. Since September 11th, a new airside security fence has been erected.
An immediate change is to revise weekend fees for light GA traffic to just £5 for any aircraft under 2,730 Kgs, or free with a fuel uplift of 40 litres or more. With good Avgas prices, longer than average opening hours and the new visitor facilities, it is hoped many aviators will come in to see what Oxford is all about.
For the piston GA community, Oxford offers very comprehensive one-stop-shop aircraft support services on-site with the widest approvals for the broadest range of aircraft of any comparable airfield in the UK. The business turbine aircraft operators benefit from extended opening times with 24 hours possible, a 5,000ft (1500m) main strip, concessionary ‘GA Agreement’ airfield status for customs and immigration, no standard handling or nav fees and discreet, low key airside access with 24 hrs manned security. All this of course is within easy access of the M40 and just an hour’s drive from Greater London, the M25 and Heathrow.
For further information and photographs contact:
Oxford Airport
James Dillon-Godfray - Head of Marketing & Development
Tel: 01865 290 710, Fax: 01865 290 605,
E-mail: jdg@oxfordairport.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
‘Oxford Airport’ trades as a division of Oxford Aviation Services Limited, a subsidiary company ultimately owned by British based BBA Group plc headquartered in London. The group’s companies are engaged in providing products and services to the aviation and industrial textile industries. BBA Aviation serves the world’s business aviation, regional airline, helicopter and commercial aviation markets through its primary operation companies and their subsidiaries, which include Dallas Airmotive; Aircraft Service International (ASIG); Signature Flight Support; Signature Aircraft Engineering; Signature Combs Aircraft Sales; International Turbine Services; APPH Group; H+S Aviation and Precision Avionics and Instruments.
BBA Aviation’s European operations provide flight support services, airframe and avionics maintenance; paint & refurbishment, turbine ad piston engine support; landing gear and component manufacture, overhaul and repair; pilot & engineer training and aircraft sales, management and charter. Collectively, these companies provide the most comprehensive support service to business and general aviation in the region.
For further info: www.bba-aviation.com / www.bbagroup.com
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