Business aviation responds

In lockdown there are very few flights operating in scheduled aviation – probably around 10% of a typical airline’s schedule – but those that are flying are supporting all manner of critical flights.  

Even less well recognised is the key role being played by business aviation, which is continuing to deliver vital transportation services, cargo, medical and repatriation flights, as part of the essential critical infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.  Services at all the main bases throughout the UK and Ireland have remained operational day and night, as the sector recognises its responsibilities to support the UK and our local communities and deliver vital support where it is most needed.

Biggin Hill Airport remains open and flights these past few weeks have included cargo operators bringing in essential equipment and medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE); flying technicians to manufacture ventilators, handling the arrival of an Army Wildcat, surveying the airport for potential COVID-19 operations.

Stansted Airport has five fixed based operators (FBO). Flights have been operating primarily for the military, ferrying medical supplies and technical parts globally including the repositioning of 25 nurses from the UK to support the outbreak in Gibraltar.

At Luton Airport too there has been a large number of repatriation flights for both Government and stranded members of the public, with the FBOs working flexibly to accommodate customer needs. Personnel and transport capacity released from normal duties are being put to good use in the local community, helping with food deliveries and providing vehicles and volunteers to support the local charity ‘Signposts’ helping the homeless.

Farnborough Airport is open its normal hours and reports business "but at a lower level".

Oxford Airport has stopped all training flights.  Its traffic is predominantly helicopters, serving police, military, air ambulance and movements supporting maintenance and maintenance for resident Airbus (helicopters).  It has also seen fixed wing air ambulance flights to and from the Channel Islands.   It continues to support base operator, the Children’s Air Ambulance.

“We urge mainstream media to highlight the positive actions undertaken by our hard working sector through its operators, FBOs and airport networks at this unprecedented time,” highlighted Marc Bailey, CEO, British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA).

The industry association looks after the interest of 180 UK companies engaged in business and general aviation. “Not only are our members’ current support vital to the UK, but looking forward as we ease our way through the pandemic, it is vital that we are ready to offer all the channels we can to show that the UK is open for business.  Come the rebound, it will be business aviation, more nimble and agile, that will recover first.”

https://bbga.aero

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Chris Potts, UK , Notts, Derby and leicster

To add to this piece, East Midlands Airport is still operating H24 virtually 100% freight, no slot restrictions and Our FBO is fully operational and accepting Business and Private Aviation as normal