Oxford Bus Co’s Airlines bounces back

Oxford Bus Company has announced it is increasing the frequency of its Airline service to Heathrow after all UK entry restrictions ended.

The luxury airline coach service provides connectivity between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and Oxford and High Wycombe. Current patronage has increased to 60% of pre-pandemic levels, its highest level since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Oxford Bus Company expects demand to increase further as more people return to international and domestic travel.

From 9 April the frequency of its services to Heathrow Airport from Oxford will be every 30 minutes. Services to Gatwick Airport will continue as an extension of the Heathrow Airport service and will remain at every two hours for now. However, with Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal re-opening the service frequency will be reviewed again later this year.

“After a challenging period we are pleased to now be in a position to increase our services” – Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “The lifting of travel restrictions should provide a further much needed boost for the travel industry. It means people can now go on holiday, business or visit family and friends without the stress of tests when they return.

“Demand for our Airline service has been steadily increasing and now that all UK entry restrictions have ended, we expect this to continue. After a challenging period we are pleased to now be in a position to increase our services and we look forward to welcoming more passengers back to the Airline. We have invested in our booking technology and to help passengers plan their journeys and they can book tickets months in advance. Additionally, if their flights or airports change we will upgrade their tickets accordingly on board the coach.”

Unvaccinated arrivals to the UK now no longer have to take Covid tests. The rule had already been lifted for the vaccinated and passenger locator forms have been scrapped.