London Oxford Airport gains a 21% increase in runway length
Extra runway length will allow more passengers to be carried by more types of aircraft
London Oxford Airport is pleased to announce enhanced operational performance for resident
and visiting aircraft, following approval last week by the UK Civil Aviation
Authority to allow a 21% (896 ft/273m) increase in the declared take-off
distance from its runway. Four years ago investment was made in a
wider and stronger runway.
Licensed take-off distances are now 5,223 ft (1,592m)
and 5,112 ft (1,558m), allowing many more business aircraft types to achieve
maximum take-off weight or near maximum performance from the airport for the
first time. This is good news for operators headed transatlantic or
for non-stop destinations in the Middle East
or beyond. In addition, more regional airliner types can now maximise
passenger loads from the airport.
The increased useable lengths come hard on the heels
of newly approved runway status from Code 2C to Code 3C. This was
achieved following an extensive programme to remove obstacles and safeguard the
safety surfaces to the sides of the runway and on the approaches at either end.
Mike Sparrow, Airport Manager at London Oxford
Airport commented: “We initiated a project a couple of years ago to
relocate navigation aids and deal with several hundred trees and other
obstacles with the aim of achieving Code 3C runway parameters, following the
laying of a new runway in 2007.
