26 November 2010 – Air Transport News

An Embraer Lineage 1000 jet touched down at London Oxford Airport today, 26 November, becoming the largest aircraft to land in the airfield’s 73-year history. The aircraft flew in from the Spanish island of Gran Canaria where it made an overnight stop while on delivery from the manufacturer in Brazil, to its new home at Oxford.

This particular aircraft is configured in a VIP layout, with plush executive features, but as an airliner in passenger service the super-efficient E-jet 190 typically carries 98 passengers, at 118ft in length. This Lineage is being managed by locally-based business jet company Hangar8 Plc, one of the UK’s largest jet charter and management operators which recently floated on the stock market and is available for charter.

The aircraft is equipped with the latest electronic fly-by-wire control system and boasts a range of over 4,400 nautical miles (8,149 kilometers). This means it is able to fly nonstop from London Oxford Airport to Dubai. Despite its size, the Embraer E190 has excellent airfield performance, very capable of operating into shorter runways such as London City and London Oxford, which have similar runway capability.

London Oxford Airport Business Development Director, James Dillon-Godfray said: “The arrival of this jet today highlights just how far the airport has developed in recent years with consistent investment in our infrastructure and facilities. We have had the ability to handle aircraft with up to 100 seats for the last couple of years with enhanced fire and rescue capabilities and regularly welcomed the Bombardier Q400 last year. With the arrival of the Lineage, Oxford can now compete with established London-centric airports as a viable alternative with distinct benefits in terms of convenience, access and costs.”

David Surley, Head of Customer Services and Route Development commented: “We have opened the doors to regional airliner turboprops on scheduled and charter flights and attracted business and leisure travellers to the region – on holiday and for conferences and events. The experience for our passengers using a smart and convenient, friendly and compact regional airport is a world apart from the stress of other airports around London and the south.”

Highlighting the opportunity to E-190 customers and other regional jet operators, he added: “This opens the door for us to develop relationships with a wider range of European airlines that fly E-Jets on short haul routes that residents and businesses in the region have stated would be a significant enabler to economic growth and travel convenience. The E-Jet is ideal for northern and central Europe, Spain and the Med direct from Oxford. The aircraft is very quiet and super-efficient,”he added.

The E190/195 is the largest jet in the Embraer family of aircraft. In the UK the aircraft is successfully flying with British Airways CityFlyer and Flybe.