Plymouth Airport

Plymouth Airport. It was a regional airport located in the Crownhill area of the city of Plymouth, in the county of Devon, South West England. Opened in the 1920s, the airport served as a vital transport link for the Westcountry, handling scheduled passenger services, general aviation, and air freight operations for over eight decades. Its operations ceased in 2011 following a prolonged period of commercial decline and a strategic review of its viability.

● History

The origins of the facility trace back to 1925 when it was established on land owned by the Duke of Cornwall. Early operations were conducted by pioneering aviation companies like Imperial Airways, which connected the region to destinations such as Cardiff and Heston Aerodrome. During the Second World War, it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and known as RAF Roborough, serving as a base for Royal Air Force communications and training flights, including those for the Fleet Air Arm. Post-war, it reverted to civilian use, with British European Airways launching services to London Heathrow Airport and Birmingham Airport. The 1980s and 1990s saw operators like Air Southwest and Brymon Airways provide connections to hubs including London Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport, and Newquay Airport. A significant redevelopment in the late 1990s, led by the Sutton Harbour Group, included a new terminal building. However, the final commercial passenger flight, operated by Air Southwest, departed for Newquay Airport in December 2011.

● Location

The airfield was situated approximately four miles north of Plymouth city centre, within the suburban district of Crownhill. It occupied a prominent plateau position overlooking the River Plym valley, with its main runway oriented roughly east-west. The site was bounded by residential areas, the A386 road, and the Tavistock railway line. Its proximity to major roads like the A38 road provided surface access to wider Devon and Cornwall, while its location posed challenges due to urban encroachment and operational restrictions related to terrain.

● Facilities

The airport's infrastructure centered on a single asphalt runway, designated 12/30, which measured 1,029 meters in length. The main passenger terminal, constructed in the late 1990s, housed check-in desks, a departure lounge, and baggage reclaim areas. A separate control tower managed air traffic, while several hangars supported maintenance and general aviation activities. Fixed-base operator services were provided for private aircraft, and the site included facilities for aircraft refueling and limited cargo handling. Navigational aids were basic, with no instrument landing system, which contributed to weather-related disruptions.

● Operations

Primary operations consisted of domestic scheduled passenger services, with key routes over the years linking to London Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, and Glasgow Airport. Regional carriers like Brymon Airways, Air Southwest, and later Flybe were the main operators. The airport also supported a vibrant general aviation community, including flight training schools, private charters, and air taxi services. It served as a base for HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters and occasional air ambulance flights. Freight operations were limited but included postal services and ad-hoc cargo flights.

● Statistics

In its peak years during the mid-2000s, the airport handled approximately 150,000 passengers annually. The busiest route was typically to London Gatwick Airport. Aircraft movements averaged around 25,000 per year, encompassing everything from De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprops to smaller Cessna piston aircraft. Load factors on commercial routes varied significantly, and the airport consistently ranked among the smaller regional facilities in the United Kingdom by passenger volume. Financial performance was challenging, with the operation often requiring subsidy or cross-subsidy from associated development projects.

● Closure

The decision to close followed a sustained period of financial losses and declining passenger numbers after the collapse of key airline services. A critical review by owners Sutton Harbour Group and Plymouth City Council concluded the airport was not commercially viable. The final day of operations was 23 December 2011. Since closure, the site has remained largely dormant, with its future subject to protracted local planning debates. Proposals have included mixed-use redevelopment for housing and employment space, though the airfield designation has been safeguarded in some local plans, leaving a possibility, however remote, of future aviation use.