Coventry Airport is set to close its doors after 90 years of operation, with the final flight departing in just four days. The airport, located in the East Midlands, will officially shut down next month to make way for the construction of a battery gigafactory. All aviation operations will cease on May 9, 2026, ending a long history that began as an RAF base during World War II, originally known as Baginton Aerodrome.
History and Current Operations
Once a bustling hub for travelers, Coventry Airport served Wizz Air flights to various European destinations, including Poland and Italy, until 2008. The runway also welcomed Pope John Paul II in 1982, who arrived by helicopter from Coventry. In recent years, air traffic has been limited to the Air Ambulance Service and private charter flights. The airport's closure will allow for the development of a battery gigafactory, part of the Greenpower Park project.
Economic Impact and Reactions
Coventry City Council states that the new factory will create thousands of jobs, providing an economic boost to the area. However, not everyone is pleased with the decision. Isabella Boneham expressed on X: 'I think Coventry Airport closing is a real shame — not only for the city and its history, but for travel in the West Midlands. It could have been a commercial airport again in the future with domestic and European flights. Who wants a battery gigafactory?' Another resident, Ivorquestion1, commented on Coventry Live: 'Once an airport, always an airport. Part of our history will be lost again. Leave it as it is and attract more airlines.'
Greenpower Park Project Details
The gigafactory received initial planning permission in 2022. In 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was informed of the planned closure. A CAA spokesperson confirmed: 'Coventry Aerodrome has given formal notice to us of its plan to close the airport permanently with effect from 11 June 2026.' The Rigby Group, which owns the airport, stated: 'This procedural submission, first envisaged when local planning approval for Green Power Park was granted in 2022, enables the next phase of infrastructure work for the site to proceed.' The site is located within the West Midlands Investment Zone, a government initiative to develop the region's manufacturing sector. The West Midlands Combined Authority predicts that more than 30,000 jobs will be created, attracting up to £5.5 billion in private investment. The development aims to become a hub for automotive investment, including supplier opportunities, a UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, technology parks, new offices, and retail and leisure facilities.
Impact on Air Ambulance Service
While no commercial passenger flights operate from Coventry Airport, the Air Ambulance Service will be affected. However, a spokesperson reassured the public that the closure 'would not impact the vital work' of the charity. They stated: 'We have been working closely with Coventry Airport owners and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure our missions can continue to fly from Coventry Airport after other operations cease. It will allow us to maintain the highest standards of care, provide appropriate facilities for our crews, and continue delivering rapid lifesaving services.' The service plans to construct a new airbase. In February, the charity announced that a new £14 million air ambulance base could be built on farmland in Leicestershire, pending planning approval. The proposed base in Catthorpe would include two helicopters, two critical care cars, a hangar, a gym, training facilities, incident simulation rooms, and rest areas for crew members. Chris Bailey, associate director of The Air Ambulance Service, said: 'The charity has undertaken a four-year project to find a location for a new air base. This field is geographically suited for the whole region and will provide an absolutely essential place for our critical services.'
Other Affected Groups
Coventry Aeroplane Club and Nimroad Preservation Group, both flight schools, will also be impacted. Residents will not be required to move during construction and can continue using the site temporarily.
Comparison with Doncaster Sheffield Airport Closure
In 2022, Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed after its landowner, the Peel Group, deemed it financially unviable, despite a campaign to keep it open. Tui's final flight was to Tenerife on October 28, and Wizz Air's final flight departed on October 30, with both operators moving services to Leeds Bradford. At its peak, the airport handled over a million passengers annually, serving 50 destinations. In November 2025, councillors approved a £57 million loan to reopen the airport, with total costs projected at £193 million. Recently, the airport welcomed its first large jet in four years—a Boeing 727 landing after a test flight—with full operations, including passenger flights, planned for summer 2028. Tourism expert Christian Petzold told Metro: 'Currently it remains the largest city-region in Europe without access to a functioning airport. When reopened, the airport will significantly reduce the reliance of passengers and businesses on airports like Manchester, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands.' Travel times would be reduced from over 90 minutes to approximately 30-40 minutes.
