London Night Slot Ban

London airspace will again see significant nighttime restrictions for general aviation in summer 2025. At London-Stansted (EGSS), the longstanding practice of offering a small number of ad-hoc business aviation night slots has been rolled back to accommodate increased airline activity during late hours.

However, London-Luton (EGGW) is expected to offer limited night slot availability for business aviation—a shift from prior years when nighttime access was fully restricted. These slots will be extremely limited and subject to noise mitigation measures. Operators should coordinate early and manage expectations accordingly.

Slot System and Airline Influence

The slot allocation system at Stansted is governed by the airport authority but heavily influenced by airline voting power. Despite continued advocacy from Universal Aviation UK and the BBGA, the business aviation community has minimal sway over slot policy decisions compared to commercial carriers.

Planning for London Summer 2025 Operations

Daytime Access and Night Strategies

Daytime access remains available at all London airports. However, without night slots at Stansted, the last available business aviation departure is 23:10 local. Departures running late—even by minutes—risk being grounded until morning. In one 2024 case, a flight (not handled by Universal Aviation UK) missed the cutoff, and the passengers and crew had to remain onboard overnight.

With Luton offering limited night slots, it may present a rare opportunity for post-23:00L movements, though with higher fees and stricter oversight.

Considerations for Airport Selection – Stansted is Still Best Option

Stansted remains the most cost-effective and GA-friendly airport in the region, despite the night restrictions. For perspective, parking fees at Luton can be up to five times higher than those at Stansted.

Universal Aviation’s team at Stansted offers 24/7 support to help operators navigate these changes. You can explore the facility—including a 360° virtual tour—on the Universal Aviation London-Stansted page.

Learn more about your London options in our London Airports Destination Guide.