Learn how we are supporting a major refurbishment programme at RAF Brize Norton, helping strengthen the resilience of one of the U.K.’s most important defence gateways.
Every day, RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire connects the U.K.’s armed forces with operations around the world. As the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) principal air transport hub and home of the RAF’s Air Mobility Force, it plays a critical role in moving personnel, equipment and aircraft wherever they are needed.
To support future operations, the airfield is undergoing a major refurbishment. This includes refurbishing the 3-kilometre runway and upgrading taxiways and aircraft operating areas, airfield ground lighting, drainage, pits and ducts, markings and associated systems.
As Technical Service Provider to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), we have supported the programme from the initial asset condition inspections, project definition study and assessment study and development of delivery options, through early contractor involvement and the outline and full business cases. Our role includes design and technical assurance, as well as site supervision during enabling works and main construction. Our support will continue through commissioning, handover and project close-out.
Delivering work of this scale requires the temporary closure of the airfield. Aircraft, personnel and support services have been relocated across the U.K. and overseas while construction progresses, making it essential to keep the programme on schedule for the planned return of flight operations to Brize Norton in November 2026. Wider upgrade works will continue beyond this milestone.
Our specialists are working closely with DIO, the contractor and the wider stakeholder community, providing assurance, supporting informed decision-making and helping manage emerging risks throughout delivery.
Providing oversight and assurance
Our role is to help DIO maintain clear oversight of delivery, managing cost, risk, quality and programme performance throughout construction.
Construction is being delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick, with design support from Mott MacDonald. Our team is overseeing project governance, reviewing contractor proposals, assessing payment applications, supervising site activities and providing independent design and construction assurance.
With around 600 people working on site and construction taking place around the clock, maintaining visibility of programme performance is essential. Our specialists are working closely with DIO, the contractor and the wider stakeholder community, providing assurance, supporting informed decision-making and helping manage emerging risks throughout delivery.
As part of our technical assurance role, we independently reviewed the contractor’s RIBA Stages 4–6 proposals, helping reduce proposed costs by £18.4 million. To date, our review and challenge of contractor-submitted Compensation Events has delivered a further £1.23 million of savings.
Coordinating delivery within a fixed time window
As construction progresses, the focus is increasingly on preparing the airfield for a safe return to service. This requires close coordination between DIO, RAF users, maintenance contractors, designers, delivery partners and specialist suppliers to ensure infrastructure, systems and operational requirements come together at the right time.
Our integrated programme management and technical assurance approach supports testing, commissioning and handover activities while providing DIO with visibility of scope, cost, programme and risk. This helps the client make informed decisions and maintain confidence in delivery as the project moves towards full operational use.
The team has also produced a formal Learning from Experience review, capturing lessons from the programme to help improve delivery and inform future airfield projects across the defence estate.
In addition, the programme is creating social value through knowledge sharing and professional development. In September 2026, AECOM organised an Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) site visit, giving members, including early-career engineers, a first-hand look at the works and the opportunity to learn directly from the project team.
Supporting future operations at RAF Brize Norton
Once complete, the programme will extend the life of critical airfield assets, strengthen long-term operational resilience and enable aircraft, personnel and support functions to return from temporary locations.
Bringing these capabilities back together at RAF Brize Norton will support a return to normal operations and leave the airfield better equipped to meet future demands.
Header image: Cpl Connor Tierney RAF / UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026