London Biggin Hill
Airport
The most flexible London field for business aviation: no ACL slots, the longest hours, several FBOs, and a six minute helicopter link to Battersea. Twelve miles from the centre on a 5,971 foot runway.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Biggin Hill at a glance
Biggin Hill carries the ICAO code EGKB and the identifier BQH. A 5,971 foot runway with a 5,843 foot takeoff run, at 599 feet elevation, about 12 miles south east of central London inside the M25.
It is not ACL coordinated, runs the longest hours of any London business aviation field, and offers a scheduled helicopter link to the London Heliport at Battersea.
The Advantage
Hours, no slots, and a helicopter
Monday to Friday 0630 to 2300, weekends and bank holidays 0800 to 2200. Those are the longest hours of any dedicated business aviation field in the London area, and they catch the arrivals that Northolt‘s 2000 close and London City‘s weekend closure cannot.
There are no ACL slots. Prior permission is required but there is no allocation to compete for. Several FBOs operate on the field and handling is not mandatory, which keeps rates competitive.
The helicopter link to Battersea is about six minutes in the air and puts passengers in central London faster than any road or rail option from any London airport. It is why Biggin Hill competes with London City for the financial district despite being twice the distance.
The Constraint
The runway, on a hot day
03/21 is 1,820 metres, about 5,971 feet, with a declared takeoff run of 5,843 feet, at 599 feet elevation, the highest of the London fields. Light, midsize and super midsize aircraft are entirely comfortable. Large cabin types operate here but the figures want running for a heavy summer departure. Our guide to Biggin Hill runway length and access goes through it by type.
Fire cover is RFF Category 6. The UK requires no landing permit for most flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with Border Force before arrival; we file it with the PPR and handling.
History
The Battle of Britain station
RAF Biggin Hill was the most famous fighter station of the Battle of Britain, defending London through 1940, and its name became synonymous with the air war.
The RAF left in 1992 and the airfield transferred to civil use. It has grown since into a dedicated business aviation airport with the widest operating hours in London, which is a reasonable inheritance for a field that once flew around the clock.
Nearby
Biggin Hill and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. Biggin Hill is the flexible one.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGSSLondon StanstedEGGWLondon LutonEGLCLondon City
EGWURAF NortholtEGLFFarnboroughEGTKLondon OxfordEGLDDenham Aerodrome
London City when the aircraft is approved and the timing fits. Farnborough for the south west and the largest aircraft. Luton and Stansted for the north. Northolt for west London on a weekday. Gatwick for scheduled connections south.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Biggin Hill, answered
Can private jets use Biggin Hill?
Yes, and it is one of the most flexible London fields for them. A 5,971 foot runway, no ACL slots, prior permission only, several FBOs, and the longest hours of any London business aviation airport. Twelve miles from central London inside the M25, with a six minute helicopter link to Battersea for anyone in a hurry.
What are the hours at Biggin Hill?
Monday to Friday 0630 to 2300, and 0800 to 2200 at weekends and bank holidays. Those are the longest hours of any dedicated business aviation field in the London area, and they are the reason Biggin Hill catches the arrivals that Northolt's 2000 close and London City's weekend closure cannot.
Does Biggin Hill need a slot?
No. Biggin Hill is not ACL coordinated. Prior permission is required but there is no slot allocation to compete for, which along with the hours is its main operational advantage over the commercial London airports.
How long is the runway at Biggin Hill?
03/21 is 1,820 metres, about 5,971 feet, by 148 feet, with a declared takeoff run of 5,843 feet. Field elevation is 599 feet, the highest of the London fields, which matters slightly on a hot day. Our guide to Biggin Hill runway length and access goes through what that means by aircraft type.
Which aircraft can use Biggin Hill?
Light, midsize and super midsize types comfortably. Large cabin aircraft operate here but the figures want running against the 5,843 foot declared run, particularly for a heavy departure in summer. For the very largest types, Stansted or Farnborough.
Is ground handling mandatory at Biggin Hill?
No, handling is not mandatory in the regulatory sense, though every movement uses one of the FBOs on the field in practice. Several operators compete, which keeps rates reasonable.
What is the helicopter link?
A scheduled transfer between Biggin Hill and the London Heliport at Battersea, about six minutes in the air, putting passengers in central London faster than any road or rail option from any London airport. It is the reason Biggin Hill competes with London City for the financial district despite being twice the distance.
Biggin Hill or London City?
Biggin Hill when the aircraft is not steep-approach certified, when the timing hits London City's weekend closure, or when parking is needed. London City when the aircraft is approved and the timing fits, because nothing is closer to the City. The helicopter link narrows the gap considerably.
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 history of Biggin Hill?
The most famous Battle of Britain fighter station, RAF Biggin Hill defended London through 1940 and its name became synonymous with the air war. The RAF left in 1992 and the airfield transferred to civil use, and it has grown since into a dedicated business aviation airport with the widest operating hours in London.
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
Send the aircraft, the timings and whether speed to the centre matters. We file the PPR, handling and GAR, run the figures against the 5,843 foot declared run, and book the Battersea helicopter link if it is worth it.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.