Home / Business and Economy / Pop Stars' Final Flight Marks Coventry Airport's Closure
Pop Stars' Final Flight Marks Coventry Airport's Closure
11 Jun
Summary
- Coventry Airport closes after 90 years, ending its commercial operations.
- The site will be redeveloped into a £2.5bn battery and clean energy scheme.
- Local residents express mixed feelings about progress and village atmosphere.
Coventry Airport has officially closed its doors, ending nearly 90 years of history. The airport, which opened in 1936 as Baginton Aerodrome, saw its final commercial passengers arrive last week with the pop group Take That. Over its operational lifespan, the airport hosted notable figures such as Pope John Paul II and Princess Anne, and served various roles including an RAF fighter station during World War II. It also featured in air shows with performances by the Red Arrows and Concorde flyovers.
The closure makes way for the ambitious GreenPower Park, a £2.5 billion project focused on battery and clean energy. This development is projected to generate up to 6,000 jobs and position the city as a leader in the UK's transition to green energy. Enabling works for the project are set to begin immediately, including the installation of a new electrical substation powered by renewable resources.
Despite the economic promise, the closure evokes mixed emotions among local residents and businesses. Some fear the loss of their quiet village lifestyle, noting the increasing proximity of industrial units. Others, like Glyn Matthews of Almat Flying Academy, express disappointment over the end of aviation services at the site, with his business relocating. Barry James, chairman of the Midland Air Museum, lamented the loss of the airfield, emphasizing that such facilities cannot be regained once closed.
