OXFORD Bus Company will run its Airline service between Oxford and Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day for the first time.

Phil Southall, the company’s operations director, said: “People’s travel patterns have changed and so we are introducing the Christmas Day service for the first time to reflect those changes.

“We will be running every hour from 7am to 6pm from Oxford and from 8.30am to 7.30pm from Heathrow’s central bus station.”

“There was a time when people avoided travelling on Christmas Day, but now many airlines operate extensive schedules on December 25.

“In fact many travel experts say it’s a good time to fly as there are extremely competitive prices to be found.

“We will be charging our normal fares on Christmas Day and our full range of pre-paid tickets will be valid.”

Oxford Bus Company will not operate local services, X90 journeys to central London or airline journeys to Gatwick on Christmas Day.

Services will resume on Boxing Day when a special timetable operates.

Full details of Christmas and New Year services, including the Heathrow timetable, can be found at oxfordbus.co.uk/christmas Stagecoach will run the Oxford Tube on Christmas Day, diverting to stop at Heathrow on the way.