More VLJ operators are expected to base themselves at Oxford after air taxi startup FlairJet's choice of the "London gateway" airport as its headquarters. FlairJet, whose financial backers are three London lawyers, has geared up to operate an expanding fleet of Phenom 100s.

"We will launch with two leased aircraft from May 2009," says Monarch Airlines Airbus A320 captain David Fletcher who has devised FlairJet's "robust business plan based on steady growth." FlairJet has itself placed an order for a Phenom 100 for delivery in 2012 and has taken an option for another. "We will aim to serve a largely local market in surrounding counties and focus on customers in the legal and financial industries," says Fletcher. Chief pilot Gerry Rolls says the company plans to hire further flight crew closer to launch after it obtains its applied-for AOC.

"The Phenom 100 is a premium VLJ aircraft with very good dispatch reliability. We have chosen modern cost-efficient high specifications VLJs that will facilitate a high quality bespoke service employing experienced captains. The company will have an environmentally aware ethos, employing carbon offset schemes, hybrid vehicles and green energy suppliers," says Fletcher.

"VLJ operators especially are viewing Oxford as a viable and cost-effective alternative to the established, but increasingly slot-constrained, London-centric business airports," says James Dillon-Godfray, the airport's head of marketing and development. PremiAir has moved its fixed wing maintenance activity from Blackbushe to the fully refurbished Hangar 1. "Initial response to the recently opened oxfordjet business aviation facility has been incredibly positive and we are attracting a lot of interest from private jet companies," Dillon-Godfray adds.

The airport has agreed terms with executive chauffeur car company Greys to provide luxury vehicles at oxfordjet. Greys, based in Chelsea, London, is providing S Class Mercedes, BMW 7 Series and Chrysler Voyager people carriers to offer a seamless transfer service. "We believe this facility has tremendous potential," says Michael Wilson, director of sales at Greys. "In our experience the run to Oxford airport, taking advantage of the M40 in most instances, is quicker to get to than many of the airports servicing the private aviation sector surrounding London."

He adds: "Our business has doubled since last year, largely as a result of focusing on the private aviation sector which has seen a dramatic increase in volumes."

Greys numbers Harrods Aviation, PremiAir, Ocean Sky, London City Airport Jet Centre and Northolt among its clients and has preferred partner status at the London Heliport at Battersea. "Greys recently ratified a working agreement with Chabe Limousins in Paris which covers chauffeur requirements throughout France and Monte Carlo," says Wilson. David Surley, oxfordjet customer service manager, says: "Greys is the first in a series of partner agreements we are ratifying."

Oxford airport has completed the construction of a new larger high bearing strength apron to cater for larger business aircraft up to the size and weight of the Airbus A318 Elite. "This capability, together with increased opening hour availability and an upgraded Cat 4 RFFS fire and rescue service, will enable Oxford to consider a number of regular shuttle flights between city pairs that had previously been untenable," says Surley. "There are no capacity limitations or slot constraints and the airport also has normal working hours of 0630 to 2230."

The Cat 4 RFFS status, he says, means that Oxford can facilitate a much wider range of aircraft types such as the Citation Sovereign, the new Hawker 4000, the entire Dassault Falcon family, up to the 50-seat ATR42 or de Havilland Dash-8-100/200 turboprop series. "This will be followed up by further enhancements to capability with the provision of Cat 5 or 6 RFFS on request later this year. This will cover all types that could have access to Oxford on a charter/public transport basis, including the Gulfstream and Global families, Embraer Legacy and regional turboprops such as the Bombardier Q400 and regional jets such as the BAE 146/Avro Series."