Spring is the season for wholesome outings so here’s the best places to see carpets of pretty bluebells around the capital Lifestyle | Travel Sign up for the best picks from our travel I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice As Londoners, we think of ourselves as hardened cynics — but come Spring we all succumb to fawning over all the small things. Case in point: cheery blossom daffodils and bluebells are all over our social feeds right now alongside pictures of the first wallet-wounding corner shop-procured picnic spreads of the season And if it’s bluebells you want to spy (they’re now in season until mid May then we have your guide to where to find them in formation across London They grow wild many places in small numbers but these are the best places to see impressive natural displays It takes them years to grow back if removed This majestic and ancient stretch of woodland which straddles the border between Greater London and Essex Chalet Wood or Strawberry Hill for the best chance to spot them Or try the three-mile Abridge Country Walk known for its displays of bluebells in Great Wood and Apes Grove Helpfully, bluebell areas are signposted in Highgate’s ancient span of woods, and they’re particularly prominent in the northern section. Check out this map to hunt them down on your weekend jaunt Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park offers a lovely bluebell display so much so a poster has been designed to illustrate them bark footpaths are helpfully laid next to the trees Nearest station: Wanstead Park Overground Oxleas Wood in South London’s Eltham is perfect for longer springtime walks Nearest station: Falconwood Rail Station Providing one of the city’s best opportunities for bluebell spotting ancient Old Park Wood is also home to diverse flowers which unite to make a pretty display in spring Ruislip Woods are worth the extra travel time as they’re London's first National Nature Reserve Insiders suggest going via the entrance at the corner of Sherwood Avenue and Broadwood Avenue for a good display of bluebells Nearest station: Ruislip Station, Central Line Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints We are delighted to announce that London Biggin Hill Airport will be our new women’s title sponsor The new partnership extends London Biggin Hill Airport’s support for women’s football having been the lead partner of Women and Girls’ Community Provision since Spring 2023 and underlines the airport’s commitment to female football at all levels the sponsorship highlights both the community trust and airport’s vision to increase opportunities for females in both football and aviation London Biggin Hill Airport’s investment will support the further growth of the women’s game as we continue to professionalise the women’s team The partnership will also boost the long term development of our female pathway which will provide women and girls a complete route from community provision through to the Academy and the Women’s First team Chief Executive Officer at London Biggin Hill Airport said: “We have a well-established and purposeful relationship with Bromley Football Club Having initially partnered to support the Bromley FC Community Trust Women & Girls’ Provision in 2023 we are excited to build on our association to help the growth of the women’s game in Bromley We are passionate about supporting local causes that benefit local people and this latest commitment is a pivotal step forward in promoting equal opportunities for women and girls both on the pitch and in the world of aerospace and engineering.” said: “London Biggin Hill Airport have played such an important role in the growth of the female game at community level so it is an exciting moment to welcome their record breaking support to the Women’s First Team The sponsorship will not only propel the women’s team but will provide a route for women and girls to realise their aspirations and increase their visibility within Bromley Football Club We are excited to build on our partnership with the airport as we look forward to the start of the women’s season.” The women’s team’s season starts on Sunday 18th August, with their first home league game on Sunday 15th September with our new Women’s Season Ticket available to purchase now by clicking here > Site Proudly Designed & Developed by Tilt Digital By 2025-02-04T14:37:00+00:00 Bombardier plans to open a new aircraft paint facility at London Biggin Hill airport in 2026 as part of the Montreal-based manufacturer’s ongoing strategy of expanding its global aftermarket services business The planned 4,740sq m (51,000sq ft) facility will have two aircraft bays and be next to Bombardier’s existing 23,200sq m Biggin Hill Service Centre “We’ve taken a very big step in the last several years to expand our [aftermarket] footprint worldwide,” says Bombardier vice-president of corporate development and aftermarket Zeshan Malik noting the company has also recently opened new company-owned service centres or expanded its presence at existing centres in Berlin Bombardier will open a new paint shop beside its existing service centre at London Biggin Hill airport next year Further growth at Biggin Hill with the planned paint shop will enable Bombardier to capture more business from operators throughout the important European market The paint shop will be housed in a newly constructed facility and is expected to open in the second half of next year It will be capable of painting Bombardier’s line-up of business jets Owners typically have their jets painted during scheduled heavy maintenance which is why having a paint facility beside the Biggin Hill service centre site makes so much sense Bombardier in 2017 opened its initial Biggin Hill facility and in 2022 relocated to its current and much-larger site which can accommodate up to 14 large-cabin Global business jets “We’ve had a very substantial evolution in London over the last few years,” Malik says That growth reflects Bombardier’s broader push to expand its aftermarket division to become a $2 billion-annual-revenue business by this year The company appears on track to hit that goal generating $1.5 billion in service revenue during the first three quarters of 2025 Bombardier is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter financial results on 6 February the “vast majority” of Bombardier’s aftermarket business had been in the USA But much of its recent expansion has been overseas reflecting the global nature of Bombardier’s customer base “It’s important to be closer to our customers.” Bombardier now operates nine company-owned service centres globally and plans to open another next year in Abu Dhabi It also jointly owns a service centre in the Chinese city of Tianjin and operates a separate nine line-maintenance station supporting a fleet of about 5,100 Bombardier aircraft “I don’t think our story is complete from an expansion perspective,” says Malik The Asia-Pacific business jet market is expected to see continued growth according to market players at a new industry gathering in Singapore Electric aircraft propulsion specialist Wright Electric is preparing to begin ground testing with the M2500 electric engine it is developing to power commercial aircraft having completed construction of a test stand that will accommodate the trials controllers temporarily lost ability to ”see hear or talk to” pilots flying jets to and from Newark US and European regulators have certificated Gulfstream’s ultra-long-range G800 business jet which the company now says has range of 8,200nm (15,186km) French start-up Beyond Aero is confident it can hit twin milestones this year: concluding the preliminary design review for its BYA-1 hydrogen-powered business jet and progressing a sizeable Series B funding round Bombardier maintains its flagship Global 8000 is on track for service entry later this year with the first aircraft currently progressing through final assembly Major components for the ultra-long-range jet have been delivered to its Toronto Pearson International airport facility on schedule FlightGlobal is the global aviation community’s primary source of news analytics and advisory services to connect the aviation community globally and help organisations shape their business strategies identify new opportunities and make better decisions faster Site powered by Webvision Cloud member-first insights and commentary on the global aviation industry This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page has welcomed its first dedicated air ambulance – a Pilatus PC-12 NGX said that with London as a global hub for medical excellence he “was delighted to welcome SkyCare Repatriation and its PC-12 NGX air ambulance to the airport.” that “by basing its operations at London Biggin Hill SkyCare will benefit from our extensive network of resident companies including an on-site Pilatus service centre.” Although SkyCare Repatriation operates medical repatriations worldwide the new aircraft will be used primarily to serve missions across Europe SkyCare Repatriation also operates ground ambulances based at London Biggin Hill Airport providing seamless medical transportation solutions on the ground to complement its air services and website in this browser for the next time I comment ABOVE: SkyCare is to operate its first aircraft Biggin Hill is celebrating the arrival of its first dedicated air ambulance service with SkyCare Repatriation (part of BM Ambulance Group) to operate a Pilatus PC-12 NGX from the south London-based location ‘While the PC-12 NGX will primarily serve missions across Europe SkyCare’s comprehensive operations ensure medical repatriations are available worldwide connecting patients with the care they need wherever they are,’ explained the company The PC-12 will help provide critical care transport for health services insurance providers and self-funding patients “The PC-12 is an exceptional choice for air ambulance missions and efficiency,” explained Commercial Director of Biggin Hill Airport Robert Walters “By basing its operations at London Biggin Hill including an on-site Pilatus service centre” Pilatus explains that the PC-12NGX’s large cargo door patient loading system and flat floor are especially suitable for medical applications with the air ambulance configuration providing room for two patients The manufacturer estimates it also costs around 40% less to acquire and operate than its twin-engine turboprop competitor The aircraft will augment SkyCare Repatriation’s ground-based services operating from Biggin ‘providing seamless medical transportation solutions on the ground to complement its air services’ With a fleet of over 60 vehicles in its inventory ‘the company’s expansion in to air ambulance services solidifies its commitment to delivering world-class medical care and transport solutions across Europe and worldwide,’ concludes SkyCare Repatriation © 2025 Key Publishing Ltd . keypublishing.com Bombardier is to open a new paint facility at its London Biggin Hill Service Centre The new paint shop will be adjacent to the current service centre building With a planned opening in the second half of 2026 the new paint facility of about 51,000sqft will consist of a two paint bays capable of handing two Global 7500s simultaneously The centre is equipped  to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance modifications and avionics installations for Bombardier Global “The addition of the new paint facility at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is the latest example of how we continue to expand our service offerings for our customers in order to keep their aircraft in the air – and looking good as well,” said Paul Sislian “This expansion perfectly aligns with our objective to ensure customers consistently receive an outstanding customer experience throughout our service centre network ensuring that their aircraft are always at the ready for important missions.” Bombardier’s Biggin Hill Service Centre was inaugurated in 2017, expanded in 2022 and will further grow with the addition of this new paint facility in 2026 The announcement was made at our CJI London 2025 conference last week Previous news« Next news » Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "a384d78c5fc4885d6d9d67dc46d945d0" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id" [email protected] © Specialist Insight, 2025. All rights reserved. Website design and development by e-Motive Media Limited highlighting its proximity to central London Angus Batey has been contributing to various titles within the Aviation Week Network since 2009 reporting on topics ranging from defense and space to business aviation Biggin Hill Announces Imminent ‘Gamechanger’ Enhancements is published in The Weekly of Business Aviation an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership Already a member of AWIN or subscribe to The Weekly of Business Aviation through your company? Login with your existing email and password Not a member?  Learn how you can access the market intelligence and data you need to stay abreast of what's happening in the business aviation community insight and analysis from our award-winning editors delivered to your inbox daily 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier announced today the enhancement of its London Biggin Hill Service Centre site with a new paint facility adjacent to the service centre building ensuring that its dynamic location at the London Biggin Hill Airport provides a complete service and support option for its customers With an opening currently planned in the second half of 2026 the planned facility of approximately 51,000 sq will ensure Bombardier’s customers have a top-tier option for all their paint needs Bombardier’s new two-bay paint facility is expected to employ more than 50 skilled paint technicians The new paint facility will be the perfect complement to the close to 250,000 sq which is fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance Inaugurated in 2017 and significantly expanded in 2022 to nearly 250,000 sq the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is a shining example of how Bombardier continues to enhance the accessibility of its OEM expertise for customers worldwide redefining its position as a leader in service and support capabilities The new paint facility further builds on Bombardier’s services and support commitment to customers in the region Bombardier and F/LIST announced the opening of a contemporary 700-sq material lounge at Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill service facility The new material lounge provides customers with access to the largest most comprehensive portfolio of interior materials housed at one of its international service centres Bombardier also announced last year the addition of more than 3,000 solar panels on the roof of the service centre and a new line maintenance station at the nearby Farnborough Airport providing light scheduled and unscheduled maintenance as well as Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it Bombardier customers operate a fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure assembly and completion facilities in Canada Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design as well as the company’s plans to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com Media Contacts General media contact webform Matthew Nicholls +1-514-243-8214 Matthew.Nicholls@aero.bombardier.com Global 7500 and Global 8000 are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc email or cloud-based services as school locks down attack A Kent school has been forced to close due to a ransomware incident According to media reports Charles Darwin School in Biggin Hill will be closed for the duration of this week with staff unable to access emails in school phones only available for urgent reasons and students’ 365 accounts disabled Cloud based information from external providers has apparently not been accessed Headteacher Aston Smith has outlined that it is not yet known what data has been accessed In a statement he said: “We do not know at this point what data has been accessed however we need to state there is the potential for all information held by the school to have been accessed “I have been advised that we will be without internet email and access to other systems in the school for an estimated three weeks and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this very difficult time for us.” cyber-attacks like this are happening more frequently despite having the latest security measures in place,” he said “We may have to take further measures in the weeks ahead based on new information and the progress made to restore our systems.” Dan Raywood is a B2B journalist with more than 20 years of experience including covering cybersecurity for the past 16 years He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes In this webinar we will explore how SaaS adoption makes it easier for adversaries to exploit vulnerabilities and steps to strengthen your SaaS security An error occurred trying to play the stream Join tens of thousands of cybersecurity leaders today and gain access to the latest analysis shaping the global infosec agenda By providing your email and clicking the 'Subscribe' button, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the CyberRisk Alliance Privacy Policy Bombardier and F/LIST has opened a contemporary Material Lounge at Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre located at the London Biggin Hill Airport most comprehensive portfolio of interior materials fabrics and components that Bombardier has housed at one of its international service centres the Austria-headquartered pioneer in the production and generation of innovative luxury interiors for exclusive business and private jets and residences has created a dedicated space showcasing its product portfolio outside of its headquarters “The addition of this design experience further demonstrates our dedication to our European customers by providing the expertise support and tailored customer experience that our owners and operators expect from us,” said Paul Thompson “The provision of such a unique offering underlines our ongoing commitment to support all aspects of the ownership experience The European market is extremely important to us and this latest addition to our largest Service Centre in Europe and the largest business aviation MRO in the UK confirms our commitment to world-class service and support.” “We are delighted to work with Bombardier on this project and welcome the opportunity to provide a discreet venue for our mutual customers and our own interior experts to conveniently see touch and explore one of the industry’s leading collections of cabin interior materials at a single location This modern space is more than a showroom and sales tool; it is a place where we can help breathe life into interior design concepts in a dedicated inspirational environment,” said Katharina List-Nagl a configurator is being made available to render schematics material selection and design ideas into a visual representation of the cabin interior.” Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre provides customers with complete tip-to-tail heavy maintenance capabilities Bombardier announced today that more than 3,000 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre located at the London Biggin Hill Airport underscoring its commitment to promote sustainable practices within the aviation industry and to reduce its energy consumption at its worldwide facilities The recently completed project was developed in collaboration with Zestec Renewable Energy, a funder, developer and asset manager of renewable solutions and part of the Octopus Energy group The new PV solar panels will generate more than 1.133 million kWh lowering the annual carbon emissions by up to 252 tons and providing up to 32% of the facility’s total energy demand from an on-site renewable source “At Bombardier, we are actively committed to ensuring that we are making aviation more sustainable and this includes the design and implementation of sustainability-related projects in our service facilities around the world,” said Paul Sislian “This recent installation is aligned with our company’s objective to manufacture and service aircraft with the smallest possible environmental impact and demonstrates our company’s commitment to lead the way to a greener industry.” Bombardier’s expanded London Biggin Hill Service Centre nears 250,000 square feet and provides customers with complete heavy maintenance capabilities It is fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance modifications and avionics installations for Bombardier Learjet The addition of the solar panels at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is just the latest example of Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to building and enhancing its service facilities through a sustainable lens Another example is Bombardier’s Singapore Service Centre Located at the growing Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore facility was built with sustainability at its core The LEED Silver certified service centre includes new solar panel installations electric vehicle charging and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) capability Bombardier’s sustainability commitment extends far beyond its worldwide service centre development The company is actively seeking new environmentally conscious solutions and is committed to ensuring a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 relative to 2019 levels Bombardier has also been covering the totality of its flight operations with a sustainable aviation fuel blend using a Book-and-Claim system and has become the only business jet OEM to publicly disclose the environmental impact of its entire product portfolio through the publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for all its in-production aircraft the company’s revolutionary EcoJet research project initiated over 15 years ago and currently exploring the blended-wing-body aircraft configuration targets to reduce business jets CO2 emissions by up to 50% compared to the current aircraft generation through significant aerodynamics but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.  the United States and Mexico.    Global 7500 and Learjet, are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc SkyCare Repatriation Ltd. is proud to announce the arrival of its new state-of-the-art air ambulance, the Pilatus PC-12NGX, stationed at London Biggin Hill Airport This cutting-edge aircraft will commence operations in February expanding the company’s ability to provide rapid medical repatriation services worldwide The Pilatus PC-12NGX is well-known for its versatility and efficiency It features advanced avionics and a spacious cabin allowing it to accommodate medical equipment and specialist personnel for effective patient care during flights Its dual-purpose design enables the aircraft to function as both a medical transport and an executive aircraft Positioning the air ambulance at London Biggin Hill Airport offers significant strategic advantages The airport’s close proximity to central London and excellent facilities enable the rapid deployment of medical teams and improves response times This location reinforces SkyCare’s commitment to providing reliable and timely medical transport services SkyCare’s new air ambulance highlights the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality patient care during international repatriation The aircraft is equipped to address a wide range of medical needs ensuring that patients receive continuous care throughout their journey This addition to the fleet aligns with the company’s mission to innovate and meet the increasing demand for efficient medical transport By incorporating this advanced air ambulance continues to set new standards in medical transport guaranteeing that patients receive the highest level of care at every stage of their journey is a leading provider of global air ambulance services With a focus on excellence and a team of highly trained professionals The company’s expertise spans diverse scenarios from emergency evacuations to scheduled patient transfers To learn more about SkyCare Repatriation’s services or to arrange medical transport, visit www.skycare.uk or call their dedicated helpline You can also stay updated by following them on social media platforms SkyCare Repatriation is a trusted private ambulance service We specialise in air repatriation of those who have become ill or been injured abroad returning them to their home country to receive treatment and support NHS and private hospitals across the UK and Europe we have access to a fleet of over 60 road vehicles enabling us to offer a full bed-to-bed service We have repatriation teams available day and night at our air ambulance base at London Biggin Hill Airport Sign up to get LondonDaily.News delivered to your inbox is managing editor of business aviation for the Aviation Week Network and editor-in-chief of The Weekly of Business Aviation an Aviation Week market intelligence report Bombardier To Add Paint Facility At London Biggin Hill is published in The Weekly of Business Aviation Runway Girl Network uses cookies. By using our site you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy JETMS a resident company at London Biggin Hill Airport is taking on a significant refurbishment project the interiors for the first two of four Airbus A380 aircraft for Global Airlines The project will see JETMS lead the refurbishment programme for Global Airlines as it gears up towards its first commercial operations in 2025 will progress a wide ranging refurbishment including the retrim of approximately 1,000 aircraft seats The refurbished seats will then be taken to the aircraft’s home location – away from London Biggin Hill Airport – and installed with JETMS also introducing significant enhancements across many other areas in all of the cabins in each A380 says: “This significant contract highlights our capability for delivering large-scale aircraft interior retrofit and refurbishment projects from our base at London Biggin Hill Airport our team has successfully completed several high-profile projects including significant work on the UK Head of State aircraft Our latest contract with Global Airlines is another exciting addition to our portfolio.” commercial director at London Biggin Hill Airport says: “We are proud to support JETMS as it takes on this major project Its success with the Global Airlines contract is a testament to the team’s expertise and strengthens London Biggin Hill Airport’s position as one of the leading airports for MRO services in Europe.” adds: “Our partnership with JETMS will combine innovative design with expert craftsmanship to bring Global Airlines’ vision to life recapturing the romance and excitement of air travel to provide its passengers with a unique experience.” London Biggin Hill Airport is the only dedicated business aviation airport within the capital and is home to more than 70 resident aviation businesses support and maintenance services for all ranges of business jets London Biggin Hill is free of runway slot constraints An exclusive six-minute helicopter transfer service to and from the heart of London makes it the fastest transfer of any London airport There are very few places in the world other than London Biggin Hill where aircraft operators and support companies can conduct all aspects of their business operations management and maintenance at the heart of a global city and with the confidence in their ability to expand and develop over time specialises in aircraft interior retrofit and refurbishment JETMS delivers high-quality solutions to aviation clients globally The company holds both UK CAA and EASA approvals and is well-positioned within the aviation industry for large-scale interior upgrades Our London Biggin Hill Service Centre has conducted Europe's 1st 7500 Landing Inspection on a Challenger 300 aircraft Watch as Senior Director of International Service Centres explains why our facility is best suited for this task and how our OEM expertise ensures the aircraft's longevity for years ahead Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre has more than doubled its original footprint to nearly 250,000 square feet making it the largest private jet service facility* in the UK.  Its spacious hangar features 22 service bays capable of accommodating up to 14 Global 7500 aircraft at the same time Our steadfast commitment to an environmentally respectful approach is also an essential part of the transformed London Biggin Hill Service Centre Key sustainability projects include the installation of solar panels throughout the facility and electrical charging stations on site.  The facility was also nominated for the 2022 Structural Steel Design Award The facility’s expansion has added a suite of new maintenance and modification capabilities as well as full-service aircraft interior finishing Whether we’re providing customers with complete line & heavy maintenance or use of our wheel and battery shops our London Biggin Hill Service Centre will always give Bombardier operators a reason to bring their jets back home *Largest private jet service facility that maintains Bombardier aircraft in the UK as of August 2022