Airline service bouncing back as all UK travel restrictions lifted

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 April 9^th 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.

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.”

As of Friday March 18th, unvaccinated arrivals to the UK will no longer have to take tests. The rule had already been lifted for the vaccinated and passenger locator forms have been scrapped. It comes almost exactly two years after the first Covid lockdown measures were imposed in the UK. The Airline coaches include at seat trays to accommodate laptops and tablets, plus USB charging points and power-sockets. There are also monitors on-board, with sat-nav displays to enable passengers to check progress on their journey, just as they would when on an aeroplane. The coaches also boast free Wi-Fi, wheel-chair access and much improved luggage capacity for passengers’ suitcases and bags.