Commercial business aviation activity at London Oxford airport grew more in 2021 in percentage terms than at other UK peer airports; up by almost 40 per cent with over 5,100 flights a year. Meanwhile flight training activity is up nearly 50 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The airport's new 63,000 sq ft, 140m long hangar number 15 is almost full after opening in October 2021. Another similar new hangar, number 16, is in the pipeline, and the airport is pleased this month to have finalised an agreement to build a new aircraft maintenance and repair facility on 14 acres on the northeast corner of its site. This will built to the specification of, and leased to, a major OEM. Construction should take up to 24 months.

Investment has also been committed for the relocation and extension of Oxford's northern taxiway. Involving investment of around $7.5 million and eight months' work, the taxiway will significantly speed up and handle aircraft movements on the ground more efficiently, especially on busy days when it's not unusual to see 400 or more movements. More GA training aircraft will be able to do run ups on the former crosswind runway, while all back tracking will be eliminated on the main runway when the southern end (RWY 01) is in use.

“Business aviation, an important pillar of our business, will enjoy the Oxford airport 'four minute mile' from touchdown to driving off the airport estate, or vice versa, on a much more frequent basis,” says head of business development James Dillon-Godfray, who notes that 30 per cent of flights use the southern end. “The relocation also allows for the re-development of the eastern zone for the anticipated evolution of the airport in the years to come.”

The airport's new $2.2 million fire station build programme will enhance its full time Category 6 fire cover. It is due to go live in June, with brand new fire tenders arriving later this year.

In recent onsite developments, several of the airport's established tenants, including Up and Away Aviation and hullo Air Crew, have moved into a former CAE college building. The airport's management and administration team have also moved there, making way for a new pilots' lounge to be built behind FBO OxfordJet's reception, while the space underneath the control tower is to become a smart new facility for general aviation users.

“Our investors are wholeheartedly committed to our future as an airport, including embracing emerging next-gen eVTOL, electric, hybrid/electric and alternative fuel technology programmes seeking a UK base," adds Dillon-Godfray “We are well placed and enthusiastic about hosting a broader and more diverse community.”

On this theme, the airport management is looking at power self-generation and battery storage technology as an alternative to being fully dependent on the national grid, where there are limits in capacity. On-site solar power farms are also a consideration. In the near term the airport would like to offer sustainable aviation fuel, and be one of the first airports to offer SAF to helicopter users. The airport is co-owned with the London Heliport at Battersea. One operator is about to trial SAF use on its corporate helicopter fleet.

A new business park at the airport entrance is also being planned, reflecting interest from technology start ups evolving from Oxford University and the airport's close links and proximity with Formula 1 and automotive industries. Supporting tenant Volare Aviation's expansion, the airport has also started work on a $2.2 million, three storey glass fronted office block of some 9,500 sq ft, that includes a large aircraft spares storage facility and is positioned at the end of Hangar number 14. Work commenced late May.