(November 2026)
With the end of the year and seasonal holidays approaching, slot availability at London-area airports will be a top commodity. Here is a breakdown of each London-area airport and how to anticipate navigating each of their slot systems.
EGGW/Luton:
Luton Airport is slot-based with no official tolerance. The designated slot you are provided is on and off blocks. If you are arriving late or early, then your Flight Pro Supervisor on the ground will work with the FBO to ensure that the slot has been amended to match your ETA, subject to availability.
It can be challenging to amend your slot during the airport peak commercial traffic hours between 0600-0800 local and 1800-2000 local due to limited availability.
Luton has two FBOs. They are Signature Aviation and Harrods Aviation. During the summer months between June 1st and September 30th, the airport enforces a nighttime slot ban on ad hoc traffic between 2300 and 0600 local.
On October 1st, Luton went back to 24 hours for ad hoc traffic, minus some upcoming weekend nighttime closures in November due to runway maintenance works. The dates are the 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd between 1200-0530 local.
In winter, Luton has a known reputation during the evening, nighttime, and morning for experiencing low Instrument Flight Rules because of its high elevation. The airport sits at about 600ft (183 meters) above sea level. Hangar parking is available subject to availability. During the winter months, hangar request volume remains high at Luton due to cold weather.
EGSS/Stansted:
Very similar to Luton, once again, Stansted Airport is slot-based with no official tolerance. The designated slot you are granted is on and off blocks. If you are arriving late or early, then your Flight Pro Supervisor on the ground will work with the FBO to ensure the slot has been amended to match your ETA, subject to availability.
Stansted Airport operates 24 hours but enforces a nighttime ad hoc slot ban during the summer months between June 1st and September 30th between 2330-0620 local.During October 1st and May 31st, nighttime ad hoc slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ten ad hoc slots are available, which are shared between four FBOs and cargo: Harrods Aviation, Inflite Jet Centre, Universal, and London Jet Centre.
The airfield will be closed between 0145-0545 local on Sunday and Monday mornings from November 8th, 2026, until March 22nd, 2027, due to routine runway works. There will be no closures between December 22nd, 2026, and January 9th, 2027, during the Christmas break. Hangar parking is available subject to availability, but once again, hangar request volume remains high due to cold weather during winter.
EGLF/Farnborough:
Farnborough Airport is not a slot-operated enforced airport; prior permission required only. The airport is open for General Aviation traffic only. No scheduled commercial traffic operates through Farnborough. No overtime is permitted. The airport is not open during nighttime. They are open Monday-Friday 0700-2200 local and Saturday-Sunday 0800-2000 local.
Farnborough is very strict with its Auxiliary Power Usage (APU). APUs are not permitted between 2230-0630 local Monday-Friday and 2030-0730 local Saturday-Sunday. If you have a 0700 local departure Monday-Friday or a 0800 local departure Saturday-Sunday, then you can only run your APU 30 minutes before your estimated time of departure. Ground power units can be requested from 0600 local Monday-Friday or 0700 local Saturday-Sunday.
Hangar parking is available subject to availability, but once again, hangar request volume remains high due to cold weather during winter.
EGWU/Northolt:
Slots and prior permission requirements are needed to operate at Northolt Airport. Slot times are based on takeoff and touchdown with a +\- 15 minute tolerance. If you are hit with a calculated takeoff time or you are running late or early, the Handler will need to amend the slot to the new time. Due to the restrictions, changes may not be able to be accommodated on short notice.
GAMA Aviation moved in on September 1st, 2026. They replaced Universal. Prior permission is required, with up to 4 hours’ notice for flights to or from the EU and up to 24 hours for everywhere else.
You need an Aircraft Insurance Certificate, which must include AVN95 (which is the Civil Use of MOD Airfield Endorsement in Aviation Insurance) to operate to Northolt. All crew and passengers must be screened before departure.
EGKK/Gatwick, EGKB/Biggin Hill, EGMC/Southend and EGLC/London City:
Gatwick is a very challenging airport for General Aviation. The airport has limited slot availability year-round due to commercial movements. All services are through a 3rd party. You will be parked nose-in, so on departure, a pushback is required through a 3rd party who is based at the commercial terminal. Commercial movements take priority, so there is always a risk of losing your departure slot. All crew and passengers must be screened before departure. There is no access for passengers or crew vehicles on the ramp.
The biggest challenge with Biggin Hill Airport is the runway length (5971 feet), yet somehow, this airport is still quieter than most of the airports mentioned above. Biggin Hill Airport is great to utilize if you’re operating to or from Europe or to the East Coast of the U.S. Prior permission is required, but slots are not. Biggin Hill Airport opening hours are Monday-Friday 0630-2300 local and Saturday-Sunday 0800-2200 local.
Southend Airport is a good alternative for night flights when the Luton and Stansted summer night restrictions are implemented. Southend Airfield hours are 0600-0230, seven daysa week, with possible extensions subject to Air Traffic Control and FBO staff availability. Prior permission and slots are not required.
London City Airport is slot-operated with +\- 10 minutes. Their Airfield hours are Monday-Friday 0630-2200 local, Saturday 0630-1230 local, and Sunday 1230-2200 local.
This London-area airport slot breakdown serves as a generalized guideline for upcoming airline navigation not just through the end of 2026, but also well into 2027. As always, continue to contact the staff at Flight Pro International to assist with your upcoming travel logistics as needed.
— — — — — —
To learn more about FPI, FPC, or regarding the Compliance, Operations, Regulatory, and other Special Services Network (SSN) teams, please contact our Operations staff here at Flight Pro International.
Our success is your success! Partner with us today.