Oxford Airport has started work on a new business aviation terminal for private jet crews and passengers, destined to triple existing capacity.
Slated for a June completion, building the terminal is part of Oxford”s wish to cater for fully-fledged executive handling in anticipation of which, the airport is recruiting for a raft of senior management.
”We have a lower cost base compared with the London airports, which cater for business aviation and we have slot availability to offer an alternative,” said managing director, Steve Jones.
”With our new wider and stronger runway completed last summer, Oxford Airport is able to accommodate heavier business jets such as the Global Express and Gulfstream V [550], together with regional aircraft such as the BAe146 and Bombardier Q400.”
The work is the concrete manifestation of investment from new owners the Reuben brothers, who purchased the site from BBA Aviation last year. It also recognises that business aviation movements have doubled at the airport during the past three years.
Facilities included in the upgrade are separate crew lounges and rest areas, VIP and VVIP zones, private shower rooms and crew kitchen, as well as customs and immigration.
Potential for the airport was demonstrated towards the end of 2007 when a Flybe Q400 landed at Oxford to trial the new runway, while the high-bearing strength apron can now take aircraft of more than 77t. Acquisition of a third fire tender will also allow the airport to raise its fire and rescue cover to Category 6, allowing larger aircraft to use Oxford.
And the site will shortly increase its licensed hours from 06:30h to 22:30h, while weekend access has been upped with a further two hours per day. During the next two years, available times will progressively increase from 06:00h to 24:00h.
Oxford had 50,000 movements last year ” 36% in its capacity as Oxford Air Training ” and has the potential to accept 160,000.