RAF Northolt is an active military station in Ruislip, about 15 miles from central London, which also accepts civil business flights. Private jet charter at Northolt works through the Commercial Booking Cell, with a PPR number issued the day before the flight, and runway length of roughly 1,683 metres.
Business jets up to a Global 7500 can use it, with a maximum of 29 civilian passengers per aircraft. Charter-A handles the booking, the paperwork and the passenger identification requirements, and confirms hours and restrictions with you before you fly, subject to availability.
Flying privately from Northolt
Civil flights operate Monday to Friday 0800 to 2000 and Saturday and Sunday 1000 to 1700 local. The Commercial Booking Cell takes bookings Monday to Friday 0800 to 1800, and weekends and public holidays 1000 to 1700. A PPR number is issued the day before the flight, and there are no weekend evening operations.
Gama Aviation is the FBO, in the civil Jet Centre at the Operations Building on West End Road. Passengers and drivers report to the White House Gate with photographic ID. Customs is by arrangement, with a Border Force General Aviation Report cleared remotely or at the FBO. The airport is not a port of entry for pets.
RAF Northolt (London VIP Airport) airport guide
A one-page Charter-A information sheet to keep or pass to your driver: runway, hours, customs, handling and where to arrive.
Download the PDF (385 KB)RAF Northolt (London VIP Airport) at a glance
| Location | RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG |
|---|---|
| Codes | ICAO EGWU · IATA NHT |
| Region | London (Hillingdon), England, United Kingdom |
| Nearest city | central London — approx. 15 miles |
| Opening hours | Civil flights Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00 (local). Commercial Booking Cell Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00, weekends and public holidays 10:00–17:00 |
| Customs & immigration | By arrangement / prior notice (Border Force GAR; cleared remotely or at the FBO; not a port of entry for pets) |
| Runway | 07/25 – approx. 1,683 m (5,522 ft) |
| Private jets | Yes , with restrictions – business jets up to Global 7500; maximum 29 civilian passengers per aircraft |
| Handling / FBO | Gama Aviation (FBO) |
| Private terminal | Civil terminal / Jet Centre at the Operations Building, West End Road; passengers and drivers report to the White House Gate with photographic ID |
| Prior permission | Required (PPR) — Charter-A arranges this for every flight |
| Airport website | londonvipairport.com |
Details checked 29 September 2026 against the airport’s own published information (londonvipairport.com, raf.mod.uk). Hours, customs and handling are reconfirmed for every flight at booking.
Why fly to Northolt
Northolt is on the western side of London, about 15 miles from the centre, and it suits business in the West End, Westminster and the Thames Valley. Helicopter transfers can be parked beside the jet, which suits onward movement into the capital. Northolt's restrictions are real, so we recommend raising your plans early, especially for weekend or evening flights.
Private jet flight times from Northolt
| To | Distance | Light jet | Midsize or heavy jet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 190 nm · 350 km | 50 min | 40 min |
| Geneva | 410 nm · 760 km | 1 hr 25 min | 1 hr 15 min |
| Nice | 565 nm · 1,050 km | 1 hr 50 min | 1 hr 35 min |
| Palma de Mallorca | 735 nm · 1,360 km | 2 hr 20 min | 2 hr |
| Málaga | 910 nm · 1,690 km | 2 hr 50 min | 2 hr 25 min |
| Edinburgh | 285 nm · 530 km | 1 hr 05 min | 55 min |
Approximate airborne times in still air, worked out from the great-circle distance. Routing, winds and the aircraft chosen change them on the day; your quote gives the planned time for your flight.
Which aircraft?
Charter-A matches the aircraft to the runway, the number of passengers and how far you are flying. For UK and near-European sectors from Northolt that usually means one of the turboprops, very light jets or light jets; longer flights and larger groups step up to midsize jets and heavy jets.
Your car at Northolt
Chauffeur-driven cars can be arranged with your flight, at cost, and timed to your aircraft: if your flight moves, your car moves with it. Our chauffeur partner, Executive Global Travel, runs a Mercedes fleet from the S-Class to the V-Class and Sprinter for larger parties.
- RAF Northolt chauffeur service
- Executive chauffeur service in London
- The chauffeur fleet: Mercedes S-Class, V-Class and Sprinter
Northolt: your questions answered
Can a private jet land at RAF Northolt?
Yes, business jets up to Global 7500, with no more than 29 civilian passengers per aircraft. Bookings go through the Commercial Booking Cell, and Charter-A manages that process for you.
Is RAF Northolt open at weekends?
Civil flights run Saturday and Sunday 1000 to 1700, and there are no weekend evening operations. The Commercial Booking Cell keeps the same weekend hours. We confirm opening for your date.
Can I bring a pet through Northolt?
Northolt is not a port of entry for pets, so animals arriving from abroad would need another airport. Charter-A can advise on an alternative when we quote.
How long is the flight from Northolt to Paris by private jet?
About 50 min in a light jet and 40 min in a midsize or heavy jet, over roughly 190 nautical miles. These are approximate airborne times; routing and winds change them on the day.
Is there an airport guide for RAF Northolt (London VIP Airport) I can download?
Yes. Charter-A’s airport information sheet for RAF Northolt (London VIP Airport) is free to download from this page as a PDF. It sets out the runway, opening hours, customs, handling agents and where to arrive for a private flight.
Planning a private flight
- How much does it cost to charter a private jet?
- How much notice do you need to charter a private jet?
- How early do you arrive for a private jet, and is there security?
- Which size of private jet do I need?
- How much luggage can you take on a private jet?
- Can I take my dog on a private jet?
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