Oxford's Airport: Does It Exist?

Oxford, England, is home to London Oxford Airport, which is located in Kidlington, about 8 miles from the city centre. The airport has a rich history, initially serving as a municipal airport and later being used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. While it does not offer scheduled flights, it is a popular destination for private jets and has the infrastructure to accommodate decent-sized aircraft. London Oxford Airport is also a certified airport, authorised for public transport and flying instruction.

London Oxford Airport exists and is EASA Certified

London Oxford Airport, formerly known as Kidlington Airport, is a privately owned airport located near Kidlington in Cherwell District, Oxfordshire. It is 62 miles (100 kilometres) from Central London. The airport was originally purchased in 1935 by the Oxford City Council to serve as a municipal airport, and it became operational in June 1938. Following its use by the Royal Air Force during World War II, it became a hub for aviation education, charter, and maintenance.

Despite its name, London Oxford Airport is not included in the IATA code LON, which is designated for London airports. The airport specialises in general and business aviation and is home to several aviation companies, including Leading Edge Aviation, CAE Oxford (formerly Oxford Aviation Training), Volare Aviation, and Go Fly Oxford. It also houses the UK headquarters of Airbus Helicopters.

London Oxford Airport has indeed been EASA Certified, allowing flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction authorised by the Certificate Holder, Oxford Aviation Services Limited. The airport has experienced fluctuations in its flying activity, with a record low of 48,000 movements in 2008, but it has also seen growth, especially in business aviation.

The airport has undergone several developments, including the construction of a new hangar in 2021, capable of accommodating large aircraft, and the establishment of seven helipads. It was also approved as a UK entry point for pets under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) in 2009. London Oxford Airport has been recognised for its excellence, winning the award for Best British Business Aviation Airport in 2009.

Oxford Flight School, located in London, offers EASA Flight Training Courses for aspiring pilots.

The airport is 46 miles from the centre of Oxford

While Oxford does have its own airport, the closest major airport to the city is London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), which is 46 miles from the centre of Oxford. Travellers can take a bus or coach from the airport to the city, with the coach stopping at various points in Oxford and taking around 75 minutes to reach the city centre.

Oxford Airport, also known as London Oxford Airport, is located 8 miles from the centre of Oxford, in Kidlington. The airport does not offer scheduled flights but is popular for private jets and has the infrastructure to support scheduled flights. The airport has been used for aviation education, charter, and maintenance facilities.

In the past, Oxford Airport has offered seasonal and short-term flights to various destinations, including the Isle of Man, Jersey, Geneva, Rome, and Edinburgh. However, these flights have often been operated by smaller airlines that have ceased operations or discontinued the routes.

Travellers flying into Oxford have a range of airport options to consider, depending on their preferences and transport connections. Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB), located 68 miles from Oxford, offers an excellent train connection to the city, with direct trains taking approximately one hour. London Luton Airport (LTN/EGGW), 64 miles from Oxford, is another option, with bus connections to the city, although these buses are infrequent.

For those travelling from Ireland, Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW) offers flights to London Heathrow or Birmingham, with a connecting train journey to Oxford. Additionally, Bristol, Southampton, and Gatwick airports provide alternative options for reaching Oxford, although they may be further away and have varying levels of transport convenience.

It is popular for private jets and flying instruction

London Oxford Airport, formerly known as RAF Kidlington, is a popular choice for private jets and flying instruction. The airport is located 7 miles north of the city centre and is one of the busiest business aviation airports in the UK. It offers a wide range of services, including lounges, conference rooms, and a helipad for private jet customers.

The airport has two runways, one of which is dedicated solely to private jet charter. Private jet travellers can enjoy short check-in times and a range of amenities, including high-quality restaurants, a cosmetic studio, and a fully-equipped gym. The airport also provides a helicopter transfer service to London, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

Oxford Airport is also well-known for its flight school, considered one of the best pilot training schools in Europe. The airport has a long history of aviation education, dating back to its use by the Royal Air Force during World War II. Training flights make up a significant portion of the airport's flight movements.

The cost of renting a private jet to or from Oxford varies depending on factors such as the aircraft chosen, flight duration, and length of stay. Private jet charter prices increased by almost 20% from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID pandemic but have been gradually decreasing since 2023.

The site was purchased in 1935 by Oxford City Council

Oxford, England, does have an airport, known as the London Oxford Airport. The airport is located near Kidlington in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire, about 6.9 miles northwest of Oxford and 62 miles from Central London.

The site for the airport was purchased in 1935 by the Oxford City Council to serve as a municipal airport. The Town Planning Committee had recommended in 1933 that the City Council approve the establishment of a municipal aerodrome. Subsequently, in 1935, the Ministry of Health authorised a loan of £20,305 (or £20,000 according to another source) to acquire 580 acres of land near Kidlington, about eight miles north of Oxford City centre. The land was purchased from the Blenheim estate (belonging to the Duke of Marlborough) and two local farmers, Frank Henman and G J E Bulford, for £19,671.

The construction of the aerodrome began soon after, and by 1938, the building was well underway. The first aircraft allocated were Miles Magisters, Hawker Hinds, and Hawker Audaxes. The City Engineer designed a circular concrete landing circle and applied for an aerodrome license under the name "Oxford (Campsfield) Civil Aerodrome". Despite progress, the project faced opposition from some councillors and the University of Oxford, who wanted to ban flying over the city.

The Oxford Flying Club was opened in July 1939, with the Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Dr H T Gillett, in attendance. The club had three Tipsy Trainer aircraft, and Barbara Mary Nicklin became the first trainee pilot to fly solo. However, with the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the aerodrome was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and became known as RAF Kidlington. The Oxford Flying Club ceased operations, but its parent company, Airtraining (Oxford) Ltd, continued aircraft repair work during the war.

After World War II, the airport became a centre for aviation education, charter, and maintenance facilities. In 1967, CSE Aviation Ltd signed a 21-year lease with the Oxford City Council and eventually purchased the freehold in 1981, ending the city's ownership of the airport. The airport has since been sold several times and has undergone various developments, including the construction of new hangars, a longer runway, and an executive terminal.

The airport has been criticised for its name by the Oxford Civic Society

Oxford, England, does have an airport, formerly known as Kidlington Airport. The airport is located in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, around 6.9 miles northwest of Oxford. Despite its name, the airport is not included in the IATA code LON used for London airports. The airport is around 60 miles from the centre of London, specifically Marble Arch in the West End area, and is generally considered to be outside the London area.

In August 2009, the airport was rebranded as London Oxford Airport. This move attracted criticism from the Oxford Civic Society, which described the new name as "misleading". Tony Joyce, chairman of the Oxford Civic Society, called the idea "silly", arguing that Oxford does not need an airport to stand on its own. He added that the new name would disappoint passengers expecting a direct link to London.

The airport's marketing manager, James Dillon-Godfray, defended the name change, stating that it was not due to a lack of awareness of Oxford but because people did not realise how close the airport was to London. It was argued that emphasising proximity to London would make the airport more appealing to overseas business aviation.

The Oxford Airport has a history dating back to 1935 when the site was purchased by Oxford City Council to serve as a municipal airport. During World War II, it was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF Kidlington) and later became a hub for aviation education, charter, and maintenance. Over the years, the airport has undergone improvements, including runway and taxiway enhancements, and has been utilised for various aviation purposes.

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