Newly established VLJ Consultancy Ltd has confirmed that Oxford Airport, UK will be its client’s headquarters for a fleet of new Embraer Phenom 100 Very Light Jets. The new private air charter and air taxi company, whose name will be announced at this year’s Farnborough Air Show, will operate with the first Phenom 100 from May 2009. 

It is proposing a route network of air taxi charter services with the four-seat Phenom jets, covering mainland Europe, plus UK domestic cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Newquay and other South West destinations, as well as cities in Scotland and Ireland. 

“Oxford Airport will be the centre of the wheel and we are looking forward to adding the spokes,” said Managing Director David Fletcher, noting the company hopes to pick up traffic to a number of inter-European sporting events and short leisure breaks.

David Fletcher took the opportunity to visit EBACE in Geneva, Europe’s premier aviation show last week and came away extremely encouraged:    “We are convinced this is the right time for an operation like this, but being a small player in the lucrative business aviation market can make or break you if you don’t have the right aircraft, or the right airport base,” said David Fletcher.

He added: “We have been convinced of the merits of Oxford Airport from the outset with its extremely attractive airport charges, its position outside the London TMA (terminal movement area), a strong and affluent catchment area and owners who have pledged considerable investment to make Oxford a first class business aviation airport.  Coming to EBACE and viewing the specifications of other very light jets on offer we are now convinced we have the right aircraft too.”

David Fletcher, currently a Monarch Airlines Airbus A320 Captain, will head up the new company.  They will be looking to recruit personnel, including several pilots later this year.  Discussions will also soon commence with chauffeur car companies, catering organisations and boutique hotels in the Oxford area, said Fletcher.

Investors of the new start up business are private professionals.  They have committed to one Phenom 100, plus an additional two on option, for delivery in 2012.  The company is also looking at the larger Phenom 300 or possibly the Embraer Legacy 500 for future growth.
  
Oxford Airport announced at EBACE that their new business aviation terminal for passengers and flight crew will be known as Oxfordjet. The new facility is due to open in July this year.  Overlooking the main business aircraft apron, the new Oxfordjet facility will give crews easy access to their aircraft.  Separate lounges will be provided for crews with additional rest areas, along with VIP and ‘VVIP’ zones for passengers, assuring maximum anonymity and privacy.  Private shower rooms, a crew kitchen, bar and meeting rooms, together with customs and immigration facilities will also be provided for within the new facility.  

Oxfordjet will have triple the space of the existing general aviation terminal, with a fresh, modern design and amenities akin to a smart boutique hotel. The new terminal represents the first phase of a major investment by Oxford Airport’s joint new owners, international property developers the Reuben Brothers and Dawnay Day, who purchased it last summer from BBA Aviation. Business aviation activity at the airport has doubled over the past three years. 

Increased opening hours

Oxford Airport’s opening hours as a fully licensed airfield increased in January and the airport is now open from 0630hrs to 2230 hrs. Weekend access has also improved with an additional two hours’ cover each day and from July these hours will be standard seven days a week. This improvement in opening times gives Oxford Airport a notable advantage over other business airports such as Farnborough, London City, Biggin Hill and Northolt, with the potential to accept traffic from 0600hrs to midnight through progressive improvements to the opening hours over the next two years. 

Throughout 2008, there will be further enhancements at the airport, specifically for the business aviation sector, including more hangar facilities to add to the 170,000 square feet already established.  Oxford Airport has the capacity to handle up to 160,000 movements a year.