London Oxford
Airport
The north west approach to London, at Kidlington in Oxfordshire. A 5,092 foot runway, prior permission rather than slots, a single FBO, and a position that suits the Cotswolds and the M40 corridor far better than the city.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
London Oxford at a glance
London Oxford carries the ICAO code EGTK and the identifier OXF. A 5,092 foot runway with a 4,731 foot takeoff run, at 270 feet elevation, at Kidlington north of Oxford.
It trades as a London airport while sitting well outside the M25, and that positioning is the whole question: every other London field sits south or east, and Oxford is the north west approach.
Position
The north west approach
Most London options sit south or east of the city: Biggin Hill and Gatwick to the south, Farnborough to the south west, London City and Stansted to the east, Luton to the north. Oxford is the north west approach.
That matters when the destination is Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, the Midlands or the M40 corridor rather than the city itself, where it saves an hour or more of driving. For central London it is a long way out, and Luton or Northolt serve better.
Operating
Simple, with one figure to check
Oxford is not ACL coordinated. Prior permission is required and handling is mandatory through the single FBO, which makes it administratively simpler than any of the five commercial London airports. Jet A-1 and AVGAS are both available.
01/19 is 1,552 metres, about 5,092 feet, with a declared takeoff run of 4,731 feet. Light and midsize jets are comfortable. Larger aircraft need the figures run against the declared run and are often better at Luton or Farnborough. Fire cover is RFF Category 6. The GAR is filed with the PPR and handling.
History
A training airfield since 1935
The airfield at Kidlington opened in 1935 and trained RAF pilots through the Second World War. After 1945 it became a centre for civil flight training and grew into one of the largest pilot training bases in Europe.
Business aviation facilities and the London Oxford branding followed in the 2000s, positioning a working general aviation airport as the capital’s north west gateway.
Nearby
Oxford and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. Oxford is the north west one.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGSSLondon StanstedEGGWLondon LutonEGLCLondon City
EGWURAF NortholtEGLFFarnboroughEGKBLondon Biggin HillEGLDDenham Aerodrome
Luton for anything London-centric to the north. Northolt for west London on a weekday. Farnborough for the south west. Biggin Hill for the south east. Denham is also north west but is a light aircraft field, not a jet airport.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Oxford, answered
Can private jets use London Oxford?
Yes. Oxford is a business aviation and general aviation airport at Kidlington with a 5,092 foot runway, a dedicated FBO, prior permission rather than ACL slots, and Jet A-1 and AVGAS. It trades as London Oxford Airport although it sits well outside the M25, and that positioning is exactly what decides whether it suits a trip.
Why is it called London Oxford when it is in Oxfordshire?
Marketing to the London catchment. Every other London option sits south or east of the city: Biggin Hill and Gatwick to the south east and south, Farnborough to the south west, London City and Stansted to the east, Luton to the north. Oxford is the north west approach. It makes sense when the destination is Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, the Midlands or the M40 corridor rather than the city itself.
How long is the runway at Oxford?
01/19 is 1,552 metres, about 5,092 feet, by 98 feet, with a declared takeoff run of 4,731 feet. Field elevation is 270 feet. The runway suits light and midsize business jets well; larger aircraft need the figures run against the declared run and are often better at Luton or Farnborough.
Does Oxford need a slot?
No, Oxford is not ACL coordinated. Prior permission is required and handling is mandatory through the FBO on the field. That combination makes it administratively simpler than any of the five commercial London airports.
Is ground handling mandatory at Oxford?
Yes, through the single FBO. Jet A-1 and AVGAS are both available, the latter unusual among the London fields and useful for turboprop and piston operations.
When does Oxford make sense for London?
When the London end of the trip is actually north west of the city, or when the destination is Oxford, the Cotswolds or the Midlands. For central London it is a long drive and Luton or Northolt serve better.
Oxford or Luton for the north west?
Luton for anything London-centric or requiring a choice of FBOs and a longer runway. Oxford when the destination is genuinely Oxfordshire and the west, where it saves an hour or more of driving.
Do you need a permit to fly into the UK?
No landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with UK Border Force before arrival. We file the GAR, the PPR and the handling together.
What is the fire category at Oxford?
RFF Category 6, adequate for the light and midsize aircraft the field suits. For a larger type we confirm the cover with the airport.
What is the history of Oxford Airport?
The airfield at Kidlington opened in 1935 and trained RAF pilots through the war. It became a centre for civil flight training after 1945 and one of the largest pilot training bases in Europe, adding business aviation facilities and the London Oxford branding in the 2000s.
What time zone is London in?
Greenwich Mean Time in winter and British Summer Time from late March to late October, which is UTC+0 and UTC+1 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a charter
Tell us where the trip actually ends. If it is Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds or the Midlands, Oxford is likely right and we file the PPR, handling and GAR together. If it is central London, we will say so and plan Luton or Northolt.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.