London’s smaller airports under the Olympic spotlight
London Heathrow is closing to private jet traffic during the London 2012 Olympics and RAF Northolt will also be closed to all but Heads of State. But London is spoilt for choice when it comes to smaller airports – where there are still plenty of available slots for private jet movements around the Olympics. In fact private jet travellers rarely choose to fly in or out of Heathrow at any time of year, with other smaller airports offering a much better experience and often faster ground transfer times.
Certainly as the events get closer, we will see the closest London airports run out of capacity – with a London City Airport slot proving harder to come by than a stadium ticket to the men’s 100m final. Private jet customers will then move outwards to find a runway slot with Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted and Farnborough being the next most desirable. When London slots dry up, the regional airports will have plenty of capacity: Oxford, Lydd and Southend will see unprecedented numbers of aircraft movements and will be major corporate jet parking lots.
The Olympics will give smaller airports an ideal opportunity to come under the spotlight. They will become valuable medium-stay parking and hangarage for aircraft that inner London airports cannot accommodate. The business aviation industry is united in urging customers to book early, to ensure both aircraft and slot availability for their desired itinerary. Once slots are allocated at the desired airports, then smaller, regional airports will reap the benefits.
See latest updates on private jet travel for London 2012 Olympics, or call our team on +44 (0)1747 642 777 for advice.
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