Coventry Airport is set to end nearly nine decades of aviation history this week, with operations scheduled to cease on June 11 as the site prepared for redevelopment into a £2.5 billion battery manufacturing facility.
According to The Sun UK, the airport, which first opened in 1936 as Baginton Aerodrome, will permanently close to pave the way for Greenpower Park, a major energy project expected to support electric vehicle battery production.
The airport played a significant role during the Second World War when it operated as RAF Baginton before transitioning into civilian aviation, offering passenger services and air ambulance operations in the post-war years.
Commercial flights began in the 1950s, connecting the Midlands with the Channel Islands. The airport later expanded its operations in the 1980s when Hards Travel launched package holiday flights to destinations including Spain, France and Italy. In 2004, Thomsonfly introduced jet passenger services, while Wizz Air also began flights linking Coventry with Poland.
However, passenger operations came to an end in 2008, marking the beginning of the airport’s gradual decline as a commercial aviation hub. In recent years, the facility has primarily served training schools and charter flights.
The airport’s final private charter arrival carried members of British pop group Take That, who flew into Coventry after performing their Circus Live tour in the city.
In a post on its Facebook page, Coventry Airport noted: “Those nice gentlemen from ‘Take That’ flew into Coventry Airport this evening and when they found out that they were our last ever passengers on our last booked commercial flight prior to closing.”
The announcement sparked nostalgic reactions from aviation enthusiasts and local residents, many of whom expressed sadness over the airport’s closure.
One commenter wrote, “Sad to see the airport closing down; the airshows there were great and I had some happy times at the airport.”
The airport site is now expected to be transformed into Greenpower Park, a large-scale battery factory aimed at supporting the growing electric vehicle industry and boosting the local economy.
Former Coventry City Council regeneration councillor Jim O’Boyle said the development is expected to create thousands of jobs and provide a significant economic boost for the region.
“What we want to see are thousands of jobs created here, giving the area an economic lift,” he said.
