Coventry Airport is set to close on Thursday, with its final flights departed and aviation activity stopping yesterday. The airport in the West Midlands was once a handy hub for travellers in the area, with Wizz Air flying to various European destinations, including Poland and Italy, until 2008. Its runway was even graced by none other than Pope John Paul II back in 1982, who flew in via helicopter from Coventry.
In recent years, the air traffic to Coventry has been a little quieter, serving just the Air Ambulance Service and private charter flights. And now, after 90 years, is closing its doors to allow the construction of a battery gigafactory. All aviation operations will stop for good, with pop group Take That being the final passengers to fly into the airport on its last booked commercial flight, on Saturday, June 6.
End of an era for Coventry Airport
It brings to an end to Coventry Airport's long aviation history — it actually started life as a RAF base during WWII, when it went by the name Baginton Aerodome. While Coventry City Council has said the new factory will create thousands of jobs, 'giving the area an economic lift', not everyone is impressed with the decision to close the airport.
Isabella Boneham said 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?'
'Once an airport, always an airport. Part of our history will be lost again. Leave it as it is and attract more airlines,' added Coventry Live reader Ivorquestion1.
Greenpower Park project details
The gigafactory was initially given planning permission back in 2022, and in 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority was informed of the airport's planned closure. 'Coventry Aerodrome has given formal notice to us of its plan to close the airport permanently with effect from 11 June 2026,' a spokesperson for the CAA said.
Speaking about the notice to the CAA, the Rigby Group (which owns the airport) said: '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 intended to develop the region's manufacturing sector through the support of three key sites: the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, the Coventry & Warwick Gigapark, and the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor. It's predicted that more than 30,000 jobs will be created and attract a possible £5.5 billion in private investment, according to the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The whole development is intended to be a hub for automotive investment, including opportunities for suppliers, a UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, technology parks, new office developments and retail and leisure opportunities.
Impact on Air Ambulance Service
While no commercial passenger flights operate out of Coventry Airport, the Air Ambulance Service will be affected. However, a spokesperson for the life-saving service said the planned closure would 'not impact the vital work' of the charity in the area, in an attempt to reassure the public that their medical emergencies would still be answered.
'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,' they said. '[It] will allow us to maintain the highest standards of care, provide appropriate facilities for our crews, and continue delivering rapid lifesaving services,' they added. 'We want to thank everyone for the support which makes sure we are there for those that need us every day.'
It's a temporary situation for the Air Ambulance service, which will construct a new airbase. The charity announced that a new £14m air ambulance base could be built on farmland in Leicestershire, if planning permission is approved.
The service revealed that it would be applying for permission to create a purpose-built base in Catthorpe, which would include two helicopters, two critical care cars, a hangar, a gym, training facilities and incident simulation rooms. Plus, bedrooms 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.'
Coventry Aeroplane Club and Nimroad Preservation group (both flight schools) will also be impacted. However, residents won't be asked to move for the construction of the site, so they can still use it for the time being.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closure comparison
Back in 2022, Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed due to its landowner and operator the Peel Group claiming it was no longer financially viable. This was despite a campaign by politicians, the South Yorkshire metro mayor Oliver Coppard and locals to keep it open.
Tui's final flight from the airport was to Tenerife on October 28, while Wizz Air's final flight took off on October 30. Both operators then moved services to Leeds Bradford. At its peak it processed more than a million passengers a year, flying to 50 destinations.
But a new development in November 2025 saw councillors agree to take out a £57 million loan to re-open the airport, with the overall cost of opening it projected to be £193 million. In May 2026, the airport welcomed its first large jet in four years —the Boeing 727 landed after a test flight in preparation for returning permanently when the airport reopens. A fully operational airport, including passenger flights, is planned for summer 2028.
Tourism expert Christian Petzold told Metro that it's an important step towards international connections for South Yorkshire. He said: '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 down to approximately 30-40 minutes, he added.
