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19th June 2007 – Oxford Airport – After 33 years since the last strip was laid, Oxford now has a brand new main runway, fit for the future evolution of the airport following the steep reduction in the historically dominant pilot training activity. Oxford has now laid around 50,000 tonnes of asphalt on both the taxiways and the runway, which at 1,553m (5,095ft) is just a football pitch width short of a mile in length and now 30 meters wide. Essentially the same size as London City Airport, albeit without their obstacle and noise constraints, Oxford can readily accept regional turboprops and certain commuter jets, along with the largest business jet types.
Complete with new markings, new CAT 1 approach and side lighting and an instrument landing system, the airport is suitably equipped for year round, all weather operations, arguably with a far safer environment for all aircraft that wish to use what is the only civil airport in Oxfordshire, indeed the only airport between Birmingham and Heathrow. Somewhat suprisingly, of the 66 cities in the United Kingdom, only three are more isolated than Oxford city in terms of access to commercial air services and civil airports.
Having invested over US$15m (UK £7.5m) in the airport’s infrastructure over the last 18 months in both the ground surfaces and larger hangars, the airport is now ready to meet the needs of both the growing business aviation market and regional airline community.
Within an hour’s drive of the west end of London or the southern side of Birmingham, Oxford’s core catchment population exceeds 5 million. For foreign travellers, Oxford is the third most visited city in England outside of London, a statistic not lost on the minds of regional operators. With no alternative commercial airports closer than 52 miles away, Oxford is a uniquely positioned airport offering an easy access, fast transit alternative to the stress and hassle of using Heathrow, the nearest alternative and used by 60% of the local Oxfordshire population. With the M40 motorway being one of the less congested of London’s arterial routes, indeed significantly so compared with the M1 to Luton or the M3 to Farnborough, business aircraft operators will appreciate a newly enhanced choice, whilst commercial passengers will likewise enjoy the ease of access. A north Kidlington ‘Airport’ rail station has been long approved for development, just minutes away from the terminal, with central London potentially accessible in under the hour.
Once the busiest single runway in the world, dominated by over 90% pilot training, movements have now dropped by over 100,000 in the last 10 years. This environmental advantage, along with the fact that Oxford lies just outside the London TMA, Europe’s most congested airspace, offers operators unconstrained, direct access with no slot issues and minimal airspace-related delays. Oxford is accessible from 06:00 hrs to midnight, seven days a week and 24 hours to medevac and organ transplant services.
Prospects for future evolution of the airport are further enhanced when the region is predicted as having the fastest economic growth in Europe, having already seen the greatest growth in high technology, bio-pharma and science research industries in the UK.
For further information and enquiries contact:
James Dillon-Godfray
Head of Marketing & Development
Tel: +44(0)1865 290 710
Fax: +44(0)1865 290 605
e-mail: jdg@oxfordairport.co.uk
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