RAF
Northolt
A working Royal Air Force station seven miles from Heathrow that accepts business aviation on slot and PPR, weekdays 0800 to 2000, with the military coming first. For west London it is often what a Heathrow enquiry actually needs.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Northolt at a glance
Northolt carries the ICAO code EGWU and the identifier NHT. A 5,534 foot runway with a 5,230 foot takeoff run, at 119 feet elevation, seven miles from Heathrow inside the M25.
It is a Royal Air Force station first. Civil business aviation operates within the hours and the permissions the RAF grants, and military operations take priority at all times.
The Constraint
The military comes first
Northolt accepts business aviation on a slot and prior permission basis, Monday to Friday 0800 to 2000. The evening extension from 1700 came in May 2021, achieved by the civil handler working with the RAF. Weekend availability is limited and is the exception rather than the rule.
PPR can often be requested in the morning and approved the same day, but approval is at the RAF’s discretion and is never guaranteed, and a civil movement can be displaced by a military or government requirement. Periodic restrictions are imposed; our note on the August to September 2025 restrictions is the most recent example.
We file early and hold an alternative. Northolt is reliable, but it is not a field to plan with zero margin. Our guide to who should avoid flying a private jet into Northolt sets out where it does not fit.
Why here
Seven miles from Heathrow, none of the problem
Northolt puts you in west London inside the M25, seven miles from Heathrow, with none of Heathrow’s slot scarcity or parking impossibility. For anyone whose instinct is Heathrow but who is not connecting onto a scheduled flight, this is usually the field they actually want.
07/25 is 5,534 feet of pavement with a 5,230 foot takeoff run, at 119 feet elevation. Light, midsize and many super midsize aircraft are comfortable; large cabin types need the figures run and are often better at Farnborough or Luton. Handling is mandatory through the single civil handler. The GAR, slot, PPR and handling are arranged together.
History
The oldest RAF station
Northolt opened in 1915 and is the oldest Royal Air Force station in continuous use, predating the RAF itself. It was a Battle of Britain fighter station and later the base for the Royal Flight and for government and VIP movements.
It remains an active military airfield, and business aviation operates alongside that role rather than instead of it. That relationship is what every constraint on this page comes from.
Nearby
Northolt and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. Northolt is the west London answer within hours and on the right aircraft.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGSSLondon StanstedEGGWLondon LutonEGLCLondon City
EGLFFarnboroughEGKBLondon Biggin HillEGTKLondon OxfordEGLDDenham Aerodrome
Farnborough for weekends, evenings, larger aircraft and certainty. Heathrow only for scheduled connections. Luton for the north and for volume. Biggin Hill for the south east. Oxford for the north west. London City for the financial district on an approved aircraft.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Northolt, answered
Can private jets use RAF Northolt?
Yes, within the civil operation the RAF permits. Northolt is a working Royal Air Force station that accepts business aviation on a slot and prior permission basis, Monday to Friday 0800 to 2000, with military operations taking priority at all times. It sits seven miles from Heathrow inside the M25, and for west London it is often the right answer when Heathrow is the instinct.
What does military priority mean in practice?
That a civil movement can be delayed or displaced by an RAF or government requirement, sometimes at short notice, and that periodic restrictions are imposed. Our note on the Northolt August to September 2025 restrictions is the most recent example. It is a reliable field, but not one to plan with zero margin.
What are the hours at Northolt?
Monday to Friday 0800 to 2000 local, following an extension in May 2021 from the previous 1700 close, achieved by the civil handler working with the RAF. Weekend availability is limited and should be treated as the exception. A Friday evening or weekend arrival is where Northolt plans most often fail.
How does the PPR work at Northolt?
Both a slot and prior permission are required. PPR is applied for through the civil handler and in many cases can be requested in the morning and approved the same day, but approval is at the RAF's discretion and is not guaranteed. We file early and hold an alternative.
How long is the runway at Northolt?
07/25 is 5,534 feet by 151 feet of pavement, with a declared takeoff run of 5,230 feet. Field elevation is 119 feet. It suits light, midsize and many super midsize aircraft; large cabin types need the figures run carefully and are often better at Farnborough or Luton.
Is ground handling mandatory at Northolt?
Yes, through the single civil handler on the station, which also manages the slot and PPR process. Fire cover is provided by the RAF and is confirmed per operation.
Why use Northolt rather than Heathrow?
Because it is seven miles from Heathrow with none of Heathrow's slot problem or parking impossibility, and it puts you in west London inside the M25. For anyone whose instinct is Heathrow but who is not connecting onto a scheduled flight, Northolt is usually what they actually want. Our guide to who should avoid flying a private jet into Northolt covers the cases where it does not fit.
Northolt or Farnborough?
Northolt for west and central London on a weekday within hours, on an aircraft the runway suits. Farnborough for weekends, evenings, larger aircraft and the south west, and whenever the schedule needs to be certain rather than subject to military priority.
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. At Northolt the GAR, the slot, the PPR and the handling are all arranged together.
What is the history of RAF Northolt?
It opened in 1915 and is the oldest RAF station in continuous use, predating the RAF itself. It was a Battle of Britain fighter station, later the base for the Royal Flight and for government and VIP movements, and it remains an active military airfield that hosts business aviation alongside.
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 London charter
Tell us the day and time. If it is a weekday within hours on a suitable aircraft we file the Northolt slot, PPR, handling and GAR together and hold Farnborough as the fallback. If it is a weekend or evening, we will say Northolt is unlikely and plan the alternative from the start.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.