Private flights at Oxford Airport in Kidlington have been suspended until 7pm tonight (Wednesday).

The airport is the home of Oxford Aviation Services, Europe's largest trainer of professional pilots, and more than 180 flights a day can take place.

Today, an airport spokesman said all flights had been suspended, after Tony Blair ordered the suspension of all private flights, although air ambulances would still be able to operate.

Michael Hampton, the director of Oxford Air Services, which charters helicopters from the airport, including Fox FM's Eye In The Sky, said: "All flying has been curtailed. It's an understandable precau- tion."

Oxford Aviation Services has been based at the airport since the 1950s and has trained thousands of commercial pilots.