London Oxford Airport has commenced the New Year with a significant upgrade of its Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) to Category 6. The enhanced status follows the introduction of replacement fire tenders, allowing for associated changes in manned resources at the UK’s fifth-busiest business aviation airport.
Previously, customers had to pre-book and pay for an upgrade from the standard Category 4 RFFS, which required notice. Today, it is available as standard airport service without any additional charge and on immediate demand. A further advantage, especially for operators coming in with larger business jets, is that the airport can be a viable alternative for weather-related diversions (or other diversion reasons) from elsewhere. Operators coming in with larger aircraft types will have peace of mind that the requisite fire cover is now always available.
The airport has welcomed an increased number of long-range and ultra-long-range business jets these past 12 months, with customers from further afield finding London Oxford Airport to be a convenient and hassle-free option for access to the north and west side of London, as well as the Thames Valley. London Oxford Airport’s business jet movements in 2021 were 33% up over 2020. The last 12 months proved to be its best on record for 15 years (when the Reuben Brothers acquired the airport from BBA Aviation) netting a total 66,000 aircraft movements and 10,000 passengers handled through its OxfordJet FBO. This compares with 46,000 aircraft movements in 2020 and 48,000 in 2019. Total aircraft movements were 57% up on the decade’s average and 44% over year 2020.