Synergy Aviation expands at London Oxford Airport
Above:
(left to right)
James Dillon-Godfray and
Glen Heavens.
Courtesy Synergy Aviation
The aircraft can be despatched for charter within an hour of confirmation through charter brokers, or Synergy directly.
Synergy has had a Citation Bravo 550 positioned at Oxford since early 2019. In addition, G-JNRE is also looked after by JMI International, the Citation MRO specialist also based at Oxford. JMI, which recently opened an extended facility at the airport, also supports Synergy’s Mustang, which lives at Blackbushe Airport.
“We are delighted with the services we receive from London Oxford Airport – in support of our busy charter operation and for regular maintenance inputs via JMI,” said Synergy owner and chairman Glen Heavens. “Having one of our Bravos based there was a key factor in choosing Oxford as the CJ2’s home. The airport is popular with owners with its extended opening hours, sensible fuel and handling prices through the OxfordJet FBO and quality of hangarage. It is well located, equidistant between London Heathrow and Birmingham, and a one hour, 15 min drive from our home at Fairoaks Airport in Surrey.”
Synergy’s latest CJ2 features a newly refurbished interior, seating four to seven passengers, ideal for 2.5 hour-plus ski resort charters this winter and offering attractive empty leg opportunities for clients.
During the summer the aircraft has been active serving the usual charter destinations and especially Italy, as many of the super yachts have moved out there owing to quarantine-free status from the UK.
Whilst its jet fleet considerably outnumbers its turboprop activity now, Synergy remains a King Air charter specialist and the type has become even more popular during the Covid pandemic. “The trusted King Air is one of the most successful, flexible and cost-effective aircraft of all time. Textron has done an incredible job with the new King Air B360 and we are looking forward to seeing similar enhancements added to the rest of the King Air family,” Glen highlighted.
“Now we are operating from four London bases, we are seeing a notable increase in enquiries, with interest in our services from first time charterers / and aircraft owners,” he noted. “Alas, COVID -19 is going to be with us for some time. We have responded by adding additional flight crew and increased our AOC coverage to operate a wider number of aircraft, including heavier business jets.”
James Dillon-Godfray, head of business development at London Oxford Airport commented: “Since the onset of the pandemic, the demand for private travel is unquestionably on the up with the assurances of bare minimal contact possible when utilising such jets. It’s great to have the CJ2 join our charter fleet based at Oxford.
"Its size and range are ideal for the majority of requests we see for European trips. With direct access to the door of the aircraft by vehicles, it’s possible here to go from aircraft touch-down to leaving the airport entrance by car in just four minutes.
"Some of the motorsports industry-related operations we handle have also benefited from the COVID-19 swab testing we can offer on a pre-bookable, on arrival basis. Fast turnaround-time results can be arranged from local Oxford laboratories if required, for that extra peace of mind.”
As a value add, London Oxford Airport, as sister company to the London Heliport at Battersea, offers 22-minute Heli shuttles with local based helicopter charter companies to and from both airfields. According to latest Eurocontrol statistics, jet traffic at the airport was 11% up over September 2019 movements.
