London Oxford Airport is adding new infrastructure projects to its facilities as commercial and general aviation activity continues to increase.
Commercial business activity was up by 40% last year, while flight training activity, was up 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The new infrastructure projects couldn’t come soon enough as Oxford’s recently-built 63,000 square foot Hangar No. 15, which opened in October of last year, is almost full. Hangar No. 16, which will be similar in size to its predecessor, is already being planned.
London Oxford Airport Hangar No. 15
The airport has also finalized the building of a new aircraft maintenance and repair facility in its northeast corner, covering 14 acres. This facility has already been claimed by a major OEM, which will move in when construction is done within the next two years.
General aviation training will get a much-needed facility improvement with the relocation and extension of Oxford’s northern taxiway. This project will cost nearly £6 million and eight months of work but will speed up aircraft movements on the ground with more efficiency, especially on busy days when it is not unusual for the airport to see 400 or more movements per day. Training aircraft will be able to do run-ups on the former crosswind runway, while back-tracking will be eliminated on the main runway while the southern end is in use. Roughly 30% of flights at Oxford Airport use the southern end of the runway.
“Business aviation, an important pillar of our business, will enjoy the OXF ‘Four Minute Mile’ from touchdown to driving off the airport estate (or vice-versa), on a much more frequent basis,” said James Dillon-Godfray, Oxford Airport’s Head of Business Development. “The relocation also allows for the re-development of the eastern zone for the anticipated evolution of the airport in years to come.”
Airport management is looking to diversify its community by bringing eVTOL, electric aircraft, and alternative fuel technology to its base. The facility is also considering on-site solar power farms and the offering of sustainable aviation fuel. Oxford Airport hoes to be the first to offer SAF to helicopters as the industry nears its certification on multiple rotorcraft.
Recent onsite development at the airport saw many of its tenants reshuffling to buildings across the facility, making way for a pilot’s lounge to be built behind the FBO OxfordJet. The airport also built a £1.7 million fire station to go live in June.
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