Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport
source
Name	Southampton Airport
IATA	SOU
ICAO	EGHI
Owner	AGS Airports
Operator	Southampton International Airport Limited
City-served	Southampton, Hampshire
Location	Eastleigh
Elevation-f	44
Elevation-m	13
Coordinates	50, 57, 01, N...
Website	https://www.southamptonairport.com/

Southampton Airport. Located in Eastleigh, Hampshire, it is the primary regional airport serving the city of Southampton and the wider South East and Central South England regions. The airport has a single runway and a modern terminal, handling over one million passengers annually, with key services provided by carriers such as British Airways, Eastern Airways, and Loganair. Its operations are a significant contributor to the local economy, providing vital air links for both business and leisure travel.

History

The site's aviation history began in 1910 when pioneer Edwin Rowland Moon conducted early flight experiments from nearby North Stoneham farmlands. Formal establishment occurred in 1932 when Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day displays prompted local authorities to develop a permanent airfield. During the Second World War, it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and became a key Royal Air Force station, known as RAF Eastleigh, hosting squadrons such as the Polish Air Force's 315 Polish Fighter Squadron and serving as a maintenance unit for aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire. Post-war, it was returned to civilian use, with British European Airways launching scheduled services to destinations including Channel Islands and Paris. The airport was privatized in the 1990s and has since undergone significant development, including a major terminal expansion in the late 2000s under previous owner BAA Limited. In 2017, ownership transferred to the consortium AGS Airports.

Facilities and operations

The airport operates a single asphalt runway, 05/23, which is 1,723 metres long and equipped with an Instrument Landing System. A notable operational constraint is the need for a Runway end safety area, which limits the types of aircraft that can use the facility. The single passenger terminal houses check-in desks for all operating airlines, security screening, and a modest selection of retail and catering outlets. Air traffic control is provided by NATS, with the control tower being a prominent local landmark. The airport is a base for British Airways' subsidiary operating Embraer E-Jet family aircraft and handles a mix of scheduled, charter, and general aviation traffic. Cargo operations are limited but supported by facilities for firms like Royal Mail.

Airlines and destinations

The airport's route network focuses on domestic and European short-haul connections. British Airways operates a significant number of flights to its hub at London Heathrow Airport, as well as to destinations like Malaga and Edinburgh. Eastern Airways provides services to energy sector hubs such as Aberdeen Airport and Newcastle International Airport. Loganair connects the region to Glasgow Airport and the Isle of Man. Seasonal holiday charters are operated by airlines including TUI Airways to Mediterranean resorts. Key historical carriers have included Flybe, which used the airport as a major base until its collapse, and Blue Islands, which continues to serve Channel Islands routes.

Ground transport

The airport is situated just off the M3 motorway and the M27 motorway, providing direct road links to Southampton, Winchester, and the South Coast. Southampton Airport Parkway railway station is integrated into the terminal complex, with frequent services operated by South Western Railway to London Waterloo station and along the South West Main Line to Bournemouth and Poole. Local bus connections are provided by Bluestar (bus company) to Eastleigh town centre and Southampton city centre. Taxi ranks and car rental desks from companies like Europcar and Hertz are located directly outside the terminal building. The airport promotes a public transport strategy to reduce road congestion.

Statistics

In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport handled approximately 1.8 million passengers, making it one of the busiest single-runway airports in the United Kingdom. The busiest route has consistently been to London Heathrow Airport, followed by Glasgow Airport and Amsterdam. Annual aircraft movements typically exceed 40,000. The airport's catchment area is estimated to cover over three million people across Hampshire, West Sussex, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Freight tonnage is relatively low, usually under 500 tonnes per year. Passenger numbers have historically been volatile, heavily impacted by the operations and failures of key airlines like Flybe.

Category:Airports in England Category:Transport in Hampshire Category:Buildings and structures in Eastleigh