London Oxford Airport--New based aircraft, new brands, EBACE offer for 50% landing fee reductions.

Monday 19th May 2014

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London Oxford Airport is co-exhibiting with the Hangar8 Group at EBACE in Geneva this week.  And to celebrate six years of the opening of its dedicated OxfordJet FBO it has an appealing offer for business aviation operators/owners.  During the Convention it is offering a 50% reduction on landing fees and a 50% reduction on all parking, including long-term parking, valid through to 31st December, 2014.  The offer is open to all executive aircraft of MTOW four tonnes or over, such as the Cessna Citation family, Bombardier Challenger and Global Express and Hawker series and is subject to availability.  Visitors should check in at Stand 1018 to collect a voucher to apply. "We especially hope the offer will appeal to Middle Eastern operators who tend to base themselves out of Europe for the summer," said Managing Director Andi Pargeter.

London Oxford Airport, which continues to be in the premier league of business airports for London, (ranking 6th according to Eurocontrol) continues to invest in improvements for its based and visiting operators. The airport is already open for longer hours than many of its peer airports - 06:30-22:30 seven days a week and offers fire category up to Cat 6. It is also is increasing radar hours to support the needs of customers and the airport.  In addition, it is one of only three business airports in the UK to offer pet importation.  The airport is seeing a significant increase in clientele flying for leisure on short trips, like Dublin and Nice and has have several regulars who regularly travel with their dogs.

Rebranding for Hangar8, new aircraft types on AOC.

London Oxford Airport's leading resident business aviation operator Hangar8 doubled its charter fleet from 2012 to 2013 and now offers a total of 53 aircraft under management, making it one of the largest operators in Europe.  It recently added two new types to its UK AOC - a Bombardier Global 5000 Vision and an Embraer Legacy 650, both available for charter.  Coincident with the company's acquisition of Farnborough based International JetClub 18 months ago and the addition of larger, widebody business jets, plus its growing activity in engineering and crew training, the company has embarked on a significant company re-branding, which sees the establishment of a multi-branded Hangar8 Group under Hangar8 PLC.

It embraces Hangar8 Aviation, the traditional charter and operations arm; Hangar8 Aero Medical, a new brand focused on medical evacuation missions and Hangar8 Logistics, focused on the company's leasing, logistics and cargo activity.  Newly named JetClub is another division, catering for discerning, ultra high-net worth individuals.  "We are modelling this new structure on the LVMH Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group," says Group Sales and Marketing Director Janus Kamradt.  Janus joined the company from Fraser Yachts eight months ago with the remit of distinguishing the brand.  Prior to that he was Head of Sales for Global Jet.

London Heliport office planned - for sales, marketing team.

In addition, the Group is planning to open an office at the London Heliport later this year.  "The good relationship we have with its sister airport, London Oxford, is key to that decision," Kamradt said.

14 business jets dedicated to Nigeria operations.

Hangar8 PLC has grown significantly since it started out at London Oxford Airport in 2002. Valued at £25 million on the London Stock Exchange, it is now among the top business aviation players in Europe.  Over the past few years the company has become a significant supplier in the oil, gas and mining industries and is running an enlarged operation out of Nigeria - Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja supporting up to 14 business jets.  Hangar8 is bolstering its presence in Malta too.  Robert Foster, former managing director of Oasis Aviation, recently joined the team to head up the Malta operations.

Capital Air Services to introduce Europe's first Sikorsky S76D.

London Oxford Airport's resident executive helicopter charter operator Capital Air Services is preparing to mark its 20th anniversary in September with the arrival of a brand new Sikorsky S76D.  This will be the first of its type available for charter in Europe and Capital is managing this helicopter for a private owner who is moving up from the S76C++, currently on Capital's AOC.   This new arrival joins Capital's mainstay fleet of Airbus Helicopters' EC-135s, one of which is flying for the M-Sport Ford Rally Team.

"We are focusing our operations at London Oxford Airport now," said Managing Director Michael Hampton, having taken the decision to exit the Manchester and Cambridge bases.  The company has duly engaged upon a refurbishment of its HQ to create a dedicated pilot crew briefing area as it enters the busy summer season.  Capital has taken a lot of bookings for Royal Ascot and the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone and is heavily committed to the forthcoming Farnborough Air Show and the Ryder Cup, much of which will be from the London Heliport in Battersea.  Encouragingly, owing to an increase in their management and charter activities Capital has recruited several more pilots.  "This is a very good sign for the future of Capital Air Services and reflects customer satisfaction with the high level of service we provide," he added.

Airbus Helicopters new name at London Oxford Airport.

Airbus Helicopters became a new name at London Oxford Airport earlier this year as Europe's leading helicopter manufacturer marked the 40th year of Britain's Civil Helicopter Hub this March. Customer response to the new brand has been widely positive, acknowledged UK Managing Director Markus Steinke, highlighting the worldwide recognition of the Airbus name, which now "no longer restricts us to Europe and now better reflects the power of innovation and long term market success." The company, formerly known as Eurocopter, has become significantly more international over the past decade, with an expanded footprint in the most emerging markets, along with an expanded presence in the USA, Brazil and Asia.

In the business and private aviation sector Airbus Helicopters has enjoyed a 43% market share over the last five years. The global market for private and business helicopters in 2013 was stable with a total of 150 units sold.  Sales included 76 light singles (AS350 Ecureuil for example), 48 light twins (such as the EC135) and 21 medium twins (EC155 and a handful of heavy twin-engined types such as the EC175 and EC225 Super Puma).  The Airbus Helicopters' family serving the executive VIP sector has evolved significantly as a result of different partnerships "which have a great knowledge of this sector's needs," says Steinke.  This expertise has allowed Airbus Helicopters to offer high quality cabins such as the EC135 Hermes, the EC145 Mercedes Benz (in the three-tonnes category) and the EC175 (in the seven-tonnes category), a variant launched at the 2013 EBACE Convention.

EC175 on UK tour this week.

The medium-sized  EC175 utility helicopter, with up to 18 seats, embarks on a UK tour this week, coinciding with EBACE week where it is exhibiting under the Airbus umbrella Stand 6613.  On May 19th it will show in Norwich and on 20th - 22nd in Aberdeen, two renowned cities for oil and gas activities.

FlairJet  - new approvals; London Luton and Bari bases this summer.

Resident aircraft charter and management company FlairJet, returns to EBACE this week, exhibiting alongside its new owners, the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Stand 5462 .  Since the new ownership was ratified in March 2013, FlairJet has taken over the activity of the former Marshall Executive Aviation and combined the operations into one UK AOC, soon to be superceded by a European EASA AOC, a mandatory requirement all UK operators have to fulfil by the end of October this year.  FlairJet operates two Embraer Phenom 100s - one based in Bari, Italy, and recently renewed by its private owner and another based at Oxford, available for charter.

The Phenoms have been joined by a Cessna Citation XLS and Bravo with the merger.  These aircraft are both based out of London Luton to increase availability and competitiveness during the summer season.  "Forward charter bookings are much stronger than they were this time last year with an increased number of European flights being undertaken for leisure," said Managing Director David Fletcher, adding that FlairJet is currently recruiting for a Commercial Manager to further bolster the team.  Complementing its mainstay charter flying, FlairJet continues to offer training support on the Phenoms and has an ongoing relationship with NetJets Europe in support of their Phenom 300 pilot training.  Recent operational approvals include MNPS for the Citation XLS, enabling FlairJet to operate to Iceland more cost effectively and P-RNAV approvals on both the Phenom 100 and Citation XLS.  This enables the operator to take advantage of more efficient arrival and departure procedures at major European airports.

AirMed tops £8 million sales mark for 2013; 7% more patient flights.

AirMed, the UK's largest fixed wing air ambulance specialist, reports a strong year in 2013 surpassing £8 million in sales for the first time - an 8.5% increase over 2012.  The result reflects a 7% increase in patient transfers and more long range neonatal flights from as far afield as Los Angeles, Denver, Brunei, Cape Town and also their first flight across the South Atlantic to Uruguay in South America.  The beginning of this year saw the company, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2015, pledging continued investment in flight crew training which enables its Learjet35A pilots to operate into the challenging airfield at Kathmandu, Nepal. AirMed has also just become the first company to successfully complete Eurami (European Aeromedical Institute) re-accreditation under their new set of Standards which were published earlier this year. In addition, it recently scooped new preferred supplier agreements and contracts with the Canadian Government and a number of major French insurance companies.

New Director of Maintenance.

AirMed's EASA Part 145 Part M approved engineering facility recently welcomed the addition of David Richardson as Director of Maintenance.  He joins from independent fixed wing MRO company EBAS and was previously with PremiAir Aviation.  One of his first major accomplishments was to oversee and complete the engine upgrades on the Learjet35As from the TFE 731 2-2B to the TFE 731 2-2C engine, an investment programme of nearly $500,000, which will lead to lower operating costs and better fuel efficiency . To minimise aircraft downtime the engines were upgraded one at a time and were done with the help of Harrods Aviation who are based at London Luton Airport. As an Authorised Parts Sales and Cessna Service Centre specialising on the Cessna Caravan, AirMed also reports heightened sales demand for spare parts for the type from non UK operators.

More cadet training programmes underway at CAE OAA.

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy's (CAE OAA) flight school at London Oxford Airport is now fully integrated as a global network of 10 leading pilot training schools. Over the past year it has signed cadet training programmes with several airlines including easyJet, Turkish Airlines and Japan Airlines. A total of 500 students, approximately 300 full time and the reminder undertaking modular or distance learning programmes are now enrolled on the Oxford campus. As announced in early 2013, CAE OAA is introducing seven brand new twin engine Piper Seneca V training aircraft, fitted with Garmin 1000 avionics, the first of which arrived in April 2014. CAE OAA is holding an Open Day on June 7th at the Oxford campus for aspiring pilots.  Guest speaker will be Captain Graham Stokes, Head of Flight Operations Training and Standards at Virgin Atlantic. For more information visit:  www.caeoaa.com

About London Oxford Airport.

London Oxford Airport is wholly owned by the Reuben Brothers. Their investment activities include private equity, real estate ownership and development.  Businesses include shopping centres, data centres, race courses, public houses, hotels, technology and media.  At the end of February 2012 the Reubens purchased the London Heliport at London Battersea, the UK's only CAA licensed heliport.  The Heliport is a 22-minute helicopter ride from London Oxford Airport.  London Oxford Airport has been the fastest growing airport for private business aviation in the United Kingdom over the last five years and aspires to be recognised as a new option for commercial airline services within the Thames Valley region, North West of London.

www.londonoxfordairport.com