London Fashion Week is one of the ‘Big Four Fashion Weeks’, it is held twice a year (Fall/Spring), for 2019 Spring the event will be taking place February 15-19th.
Which airports to use when attending the Fashion Week in London?
London is very GA friendly, you can get the most comprehensive support and ground services for your aircraft and its crew. London Stansted Airport – EGSS and London Luton Airport – EGGW are your best pick, as both airports operate 24/7, and about an hour drive to the West End, both airports also serve as an Airport of Entry (AOE).
If arranging an empty slot is not possible in Stansted or Luton then consider Farnborough Airport – EGLF which is also a GA friendly airport but about two hours drive to the primary fashion week venue.
London City Airport – EGCL and Northolt – EGWU are even closer to the fashion week venue but expect them to be crowded as both airports will be primarily serving the fashion week designers, models, and media guests. All of these airports are (AOE) but unlike Stansted and Luton operation is not 24/7.
GA parking can be difficult to arrange in Luton – EGGW from time to time, and parking charges can be very expensive. While Stansted – EGSS has a large GA ramp and can fill up with traffic at any time, this is now the third busiest airport in London (after Heathrow – EGLL and Gatwick – EGKK).
Farnborough – EGLF has GA parking availability, but as I mentioned the airport is restricted by operating hours. Generally, it is recommended to request parking slots three to four days ahead of your landing in London.
Airport slots are mandated for arrivals/departures at Luton, London City and Stansted.
Stansted – EGSS is usually very helpful in providing slots at wished times while Luton – EGGW seldom runs out of available airport slot, this particularly happens on Sundays. There are no airport slot requirements for Farnborough – EGLF.
Prior permission required (PPR) is needed for operation into Northolt – EGWU. Permission should be requested three business days ahead.
Permits
Private non-revenue operators do not require permits, while charter (non-scheduled commercial) operators do.
Permits Lead Time
Permit request should be submitted 48-72 hours ahead of the flight, charter permits are usually processed on shorter notice.
Keep in mind that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) works only Monday-Friday 0900-1700 local time.
When a permit is approved it has a 48-hour validity window for arrival/departure. So schedule changes are not an issue unless you need to change origin or destination airports, in this case, you must get the CAA approval again.
CIQ Clearance
Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine procedures are almost similar at all London airports.
All airports have UK Border Force representatives or service partners. Passport validity is only needed for the length of stay. Visas may or may not be needed, depending on the nationality of the visitor and the purpose of the visit.
If you are arriving to do any work that will be paid for by a UK entity you may require a work visa. Visas on arrival are not possible in the UK, all passengers need to have in-hand any required visas prior to arrival.
Conclusion
The UK is very GA friendly and straightforward to operate and maintain required permissions if you apply on time like any other destination.