Which is the best London airport for business aviation/private jets to fly into?

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Which is the best London airport for business aviation/private jets to fly into?

Martin Jackson • Apr 11, 2021

Our top six most convenient airports around London for business aviation and private jet

I wish I had a pound (or I’ll happily take a dollar) for every time flight crews and clients have asked me which the best London airport is to fly their private jets into. That’s only half the question; it’s usually weighted on the side of ‘and how quickly and conveniently can I get into central or west London, or The City?’.

Here are our top six most convenient airports for business aviation and private jets, based on our vast experience and knowledge at advectus Executive Chauffeur. We operate our business aviation ground transportation from all the airports listed below from 1 to 6 and can also make arrangements to operate from the others listed at the end.

1 London Luton Airport

While London Luton Airport is known as a budget airline hub, it has long been associated with private jet and business aviation and offers some of them most competitive airport fees. It currently has two Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), Harrods Aviation and Signature Flight Support, as well as a London base office for Universal Aviation. Luton offers a convenient and direct executive ground transportation route into the centre of London in less than an hour. During peak summer months, the airport is very busy and could be a problem in getting slots and stand parking, so early booking is essential.

Pros

> 24/7 accessibility*

> Cost-effective fees

> 45-minute chauffeur travel to London, outside peak rush-hour times

> Ideal for Silverstone race circuit, Milton Keynes and the Midlands/Oxford/Cambridge

Cons

> Runway availability to private jet clients, as this is a busy commercial airport

2 London RAF Northolt Jet Centre

RAF Northolt is an operational military airport with access for small private jets, subject to restrictions. Geographically, it is the nearest private jet and business aviation airport to west and central London, although journey times outside peak rush hour can still be around 35 minutes. Universal Aviation has recently acquired the business jet centre here. Due to it being a secure military airport, pick up/drop off is landside only at the FBO within the airfield perimeter, and only after strict security checks at the guardhouse which can take time.
Pros

> 14 miles to Marble Arch in central London

> Handles VIPs and government flights, hence very high level of security

Cons

> Not 24/7 operation, currently only open 08:00 to 20:00 Monday-Saturday, and closed Sunday

> Length of runway needs to be considered, especially for long-haul flights

3 London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport is north-east of London and chauffeur journey times can vary between 70-80 minutes into the west and central parts of London, and around one hour to the commercial district of Canary Wharf (to the east of The City). These ground transportation times do put crews and clients off using Stansted, especially as during busy peak times transfers will take longer. However, Stansted offers FBOs for private jet and business aviation such as Universal Aviation, Fayair, Harrods Aviation and Inflite, and due to the long runway and expanse of parking, lends itself to landing large four-engine private jets with plenty of stand availability.
Pros

> 24/7 accessibility*

> Plenty of stand parking

> Plethora of FBOs to suit all your needs

> Limited animal access

Cons

> Not well-positioned geographically for getting into west and central London, so transfer times can be long

4 London Farnborough Airport

Like Luton, London Farnborough is a busy private jet and business aviation airport with a new state-of-the-art terminal/single FBO. While facilities equal that of Luton, accessibility is not 24/7. Farnborough’s location south of London in rural Hampshire makes chauffeur transportation times into west and central London approximately 55-65 minutes outside peak rush hour, and 75-80 minutes to The City.

Pros

> Slots available throughout the day, except during Farnborough Airshow week (next one scheduled for 18-22 July 2022)

> Plenty of stand parking

Cons

> Not 24/7 operation – currently 07:00-22:00

> Journey time into London is more than one hour

5 London Biggin Hill Airport

Biggin Hill Airport is south-east of London and has its own FBO, Biggin Hill Executive Handling, as well as a Signature Flight Support base, for private jet and business aviation. Stand parking is plentiful, but the location of the airport gives clients a long travel time into central London. Road links are through built-up areas, which can be very ‘stop-start’ due to heavy traffic at all times of the day.

Pros

> Good position for business travel in the areas of south and south-east London

> Access to M25 motorway network and southern England, i.e. Port of Dover

> Animal access

Cons

> Not 24/7 operation – currently 06:30-23:00

> Journey time into central/west London can take up to 80 minutes

> Approximately 60 minutes into The City

> No motorway/direct roads into London – travel is through built-up areas

6 London City Airport

London City Airport, as its name suggests, is close to The City financial district of London and is located on the side of the River Thames in the heart of the regenerated Docklands area, making it ideal for Canary Wharf or City meetings. The airport’s location in a built-up residential and commercial area means only certain types of aircraft and type-rated pilots are able to use this small airport. The FBO, which services private jet and business aviation, has limited stand space so advance landing booking is essential.

Pros

> Nearby The City of London and Canary Wharf commercial district

Cons

> Limited aircraft types permitted (pilots also need type rating)

> Short runway with steep approach and take-off

> Extremely limited aircraft parking

* These airports are popular for package holiday traffic and budget airlines. Therefore, they can be extremely busy during the summer months (July-September), making slots and parking more challenging. Early booking is advisable.

Other airports

London Heathrow Airport

advectus Executive Chauffeur operates a ‘meet-and-greet’ executive service from London Heathrow Airport’s commercial terminals.

Other airports with reasonable access to London (within a 1½ to 2-hour drive) and which have FBO facilities are:

London Southend Airport:

Check operational availability for access. Facilities are on a similar but smaller scale to that of Luton

London Oxford Airport:

Check operational availability for access. Facilities are on a similar but smaller scale to that of Luton

London Cranfield Airport:

Check operational availability for access and border control, ideal for Silverstone race circuit

Martin

Martin Jackson is the proprietor of advectus Executive Chauffeur, a family business with a solid reputation in general chauffeuring, specialising in the niche aviation ground transportation sector.

ad*ve’c*tus vb to carry, bring, convey [to]; arrive by

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advectus is COVID-compliant

By Martin Jackson • 24 Jan, 2022

All our vehicles are cleaned in between and during journeys as a matter of course – this was our normal practice even before the COVID-19 pandemic – to protect all passengers and drivers as much as possible from the transmission of infection generally. Our drivers are no longer required to wear a mask under UK law while they have passengers onboard. Clients are welcome to wear masks if they so desire. We will continue to review UK government guidelines.

What’s the difference between a chauffeur and a private hire or minicab driver?

By Martin Jackson • 11 Apr, 2021

Chauffeurs, just like a private hire/minicab drivers, and their vehicles must be licensed. Chauffeurs and drivers working as sole traders, or a company that employs these drivers, must hold an operating licence. These are issued by the local authority of where the vehicle’s business office is registered, and in London by the Public Carriage Office, an agency within TfL (Transport for London). Each local authority has its own licensing department. Furthermore, chauffeurs and private hire drivers also have to hold their own personal PHV – public hire vehicle – Licence, to drive for hire and reward purposes. Their vehicles must be pre-booked by a client; they are not allowed to respond to someone flagging them down on the roadside. The only type of drivers who are allowed to respond to this are black cab drivers. And that’s where the similarity ends. Chauffeurs drive more upmarket limousines to meet the needs and aspirations of the type of, usually wealthy or high profile, clients they drive. Luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes S Class and V Class, are commonly used, but sometimes the client may request a specific marque type. The air-conditioned vehicles are kept in pristine condition, constantly washed and polished, ready to answer a call at a moment’s notice. Not only are the cars immaculate, but its chauffeur must appear just as presentable. Suits and ties are a must, and don’t forget the polished shoes. Few wear a chauffeur’s hat anymore; the days of a peak-capped, double-breasted, jodhpur-wearing personal chauffeurs have long disappeared. Of course, driving the likes of captains of industry, corporate executives and stars of stage and screen means a heightened level of discretion and security …at all times. Martin Martin Jackson is the proprietor of advectus Executive Chauffeur , a family business with a solid reputation in general chauffeuring, specialising in the niche aviation ground transportation sector. ad*ve’c*tus vb to carry, bring, convey [to]; arrive by

What’s the meaning of the word ‘chauffeur’?

By Martin Jackson • 11 Apr, 2021

It means I drive clients in my prestige vehicles – also called limousines, sedans, people carriers or SUVs – wherever they need to go. In doing so, I practise a high level of etiquette – opening and closing the car doors for them if they wish, being personable, knowing when to talk … and when not to. Discretion is paramount. I also need to be well-groomed and dress conservatively: a dark two- or three-piece suit, white shirt and a conventional, understated tie. While I obviously need to be there, I also need to remain out of sight. My vehicle needs to look as pristine as I do. It’s not unheard of for me to tidy the inside of the limousine, clean the windscreen or polish the outside when waiting for my clients while they are in a meeting or at dinner or the theatre. It’s important that clients feel I take pride in my own appearance as well as that of the car.

In London? Try some alternative places to visit

By Martin Jackson • 11 Apr, 2021

Borough Market – when you finally get there – is a feast for all the senses. It’s a great place to sample and buy superb, mouth-watering ‘street food’ from vendors serving dishes from all over the world, as well as selling local fresh produce. Across from Borough Market towers the 306-feet tall Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe; a mix of offices, restaurants, a hotel and, of course, an amazing panoramic viewing platform. While I can personally recommend a trip up to the 72nd floor for fabulous views across London, I must warn you that tickets are timed and must be bought in advance. The Shard is next to one of London’s busiest railway stations, London Bridge, serving north of London as well as the whole of the south east corner of England. Look down from the viewing platform and you’ll think you’re observing a massive train set! Trains from here go to Canterbury, where you can visit its famous cathedral, the spiritual home of the Church of England. Back on the east side of London there is still much to discover. After a morning or afternoon mooching along the South Bank, how about (if you’re not too tired) crossing over to the north side and taking an evening walk around Whitechapel on a Jack the Ripper tour? These start from either outside Tower Hill or Aldgate East Tube station. Based on actual events, you’ll get to learn about all the famous, gruesome Ripper murders, see most of the places where they took place and get a real feel for what life was like in this part of Victorian London. Get further information from our hotel concierge. Known as the East End, this area of London – Whitechapel and Bethnal Green – was always a hotbed of crime in Victorian and Edwardian England, borne out of the appalling poverty and squalid living conditions. As time went on, the docklands area there became a welcome employer, serving ships full of supplies from all over the world. However, a heavy price was paid because of the docks – during World War II the area was heavily bombed with many lives lost, devasting the community, and with many homes and buildings obliterated, work was hard to come by. The rot set in again and during the 50’s and 60’s the area saw the rise of many ‘family’ gangs, using all means of terror to control the East End. None were more famous than the Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, who were also the last people to be imprisoned in the Tower of London ...although for skipping National Service rather than any murders. Nowadays, the East End is on the up again, with a multicultural mix of people living and working there. Indeed, some parts of the area are becoming very trendy to live. A multicultural mix, as ever, means a great array of food. If it’s hot, spicy Indian food you’re looking for then one street in particular is a must: Brick Lane. Forget about the posh West End/Mayfair Indian restaurants – you’ll find equally as good cuisine in a small, but friendly, family restaurant here. ©2021 Martin Jackson, advectus Executive Chauffeur. All rights reserved.

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