RAF Northolt Airport (ICAO: EGWU) in Greater London has informed that it will see increased operational restrictions during August and September 2025. As a military-controlled airfield operated by the UK Ministry of Defence, Northolt accommodates a small volume of civilian business aviation movements under pre-agreed scheduling, slot, and handling terms. These changes are a result of military requirements and will have a direct effect on business aviation.
Changed Opening Hours
Between August 1 and September 30, RAF Northolt will be on an altered schedule due to ongoing military operational requirements. These restrictions apply to all civilian business aircraft movements and are non-negotiable. Crews and dispatchers must guarantee that all flight activity – arrivals, departures, ground operations – occurs strictly within the following times:
Monday through Friday: The airport will be open from 0700z until 1700z.
No arrivals or departures are permitted outside of this 10-hour period. This includes all types of operations, such as repositioning, charter, state, and diplomatic flights.
Saturdays: Closed.
The airport will not facilitate any aircraft movement. There will be no departures, arrivals, ground handling, or supporting services. The airfield is totally closed for civilian use on Saturdays during this period.
Sunday and Monday, August 25 (UK Bank Holiday): The airport will be open between 0900z and 1600z.
Flights need to be planned both to arrive and depart within this 7-hour window. Any request for arrival before 0900z or departure after 1600z on these days will not be accepted.
Wednesday, July 31 (pre-restriction exception): Normal hours still apply: 0700z to 1900z.
This is the last day of regular weekday hours before the limited hours start on August 1.
RAF Northolt does not accept overtime movement requests or after-hours handling. No provision is made for delays that run into off-hours. Flights that are timed to arrive or depart close to the boundary of the published opening hours must take into consideration holding patterns, taxi delays, and other operational factors in order to prevent infringing the closure of the window.
Flight plans, customs clearance, and ground support also need to be synchronized to these times. Crews should work closely with trip support to make certain that all arrival and departure processes are feasible within the constraints of the day’s schedule. Non-compliance can lead to refusal of entry or diversion to an alternate airport, potentially affecting passenger timelines as well as operational expenses.
Hourly Movement Restrictions
In addition to the amended opening times, RAF Northolt will also be setting volume limits on some days in August and September. On these days, the airport will be limited to a maximum of two arrivals and two departures per hour after 1400z.
This limit will be enforced on the following dates:
- August 11, 13, 15, 20, and 26
- September 5, 10, 16, 22, 23, and 29
The capacity limit is imposed on an hourly basis from 1400z. Crews should be aware that the total number of slots available is restricted and will be allocated on a first-approved basis, subject to operational feasibility. Slot requests above this hourly threshold will not be accepted.
Slot Tolerance Enforcement
RAF Northolt has a rigid slot system with a 15-minute tolerance either side of the allocated time. This is for both departures and arrivals. If, for instance, an aircraft is cleared to land at 1500z, it must land between 1445z and 1515z.
Any deviation must be notified in advance. The airport requests operators to notify its coordination desk if the aircraft is allocated a new CTOT, delayed on departure, or expected to arrive earlier than planned. The new time cannot be accepted if it is because of slot saturation or runway capacity, and the flight may be refused or diverted.
Failure to adhere to the allowed slot tolerance will result in one or two options: diversion to another airport or a 50% penalty of the landing fee, based on RAF Northolt’s current Terms and Conditions.
This degree of enforcement of tolerance is ongoing at all times and is not eased throughout the two-month restriction.
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Handling and Ground Operations
All civilian flights into RAF Northolt are processed under the auspices of the UK Ministry of Defence. One approved ground handler is permitted to supply civilian support services such as fueling, parking coordination, crew and passenger escorts, and customs facilitation.
Ramp access is not provided. All ground movements, such as disembarkation of passengers, crew changes, and vehicle staging, will be under escorted control. Civilian personnel are not permitted to move unescorted on the apron or in secure parts of the airfield.
Parking is limited. Aircraft cannot claim overnight or long stay privilege without prior clearance. Hangarage is not available at this field; all aircraft are parked in open ramp space. Availability of extended ground time is dependent on military operational levels and space needs.
Customs and immigration facilities exist but must be pre-arranged. The facilities are not manned around the clock and schedules may have to be confirmed prior to arrival. Icarus Jet trip support staff can assist operators in arranging the entry formalities accordingly.
Additional services like GPU, drinking water, and lavatory service also need to be booked in advance. These services are rendered on a request basis and are dependent on vehicle movement restrictions within the base.
Vehicle access is restricted to RAF Northolt and must be pre-coordinated with RAF Northolt authorities prior to arrival. Crew or passenger carrying vehicles need entry clearance. On-base driving or ramp access requests at short notice will not be accepted unless cleared earlier through the base operations office.
Coordination and Scheduling
All civilian operators are responsible for slot times being confirmed, recorded, and overall adherence. Any alteration of the flight plan – be it arrival time, aircraft registry, or passenger manifest – has to be submitted for approval and review.
RAF Northolt requires all mission elements to be submitted through the appropriate channels and pre-coordinated. Dispatchers should be prepared to provide full operational details, including estimated times, routing, call signs, aircraft size, handling requirements, and security procedures.
The airfield cannot handle ad hoc requests or non-scheduled flights. Such requests should not be attempted as access will be denied without a confirmed slot and PPR. Contact us today for any questions or for securing your next trip support with Icarus Jet.
FAQ
1. What are RAF Northolt’s operating hours during August and September 2025?
Weekdays from 0700z to 1700z. The airport is closed on Saturdays. On Sundays and on Monday, August 25, the hours are 0900z to 1600z. These times are strictly enforced.
2. Are there specific days with hourly movement restrictions?
Yes. On August 11, 13, 15, 20, and 26, and on September 5, 10, 16, 22, 23, and 29, the airport will only allow two arrivals and two departures per hour after 1400z.
3. What happens if I miss my scheduled slot time?
RAF Northolt has a 15-minute tolerance. If a flight is unable to achieve its allocated window and the revised timing cannot be accepted, the flight will either be diverted or face a penalty of 50% of the landing fee.
4. Is it possible to operate into Northolt outside the published hours?
No. RAF Northolt does not offer overtime, emergency access, or exceptions beyond the scheduled opening times.5. Are there ramp services upon arrival?
Yes, but they must be requested and pre-cleared in advance. All ramp activity is supervised, and ground vehicle access must be pre-cleared with base security.
