Cowes Airport

The closure was driven by economic and land development reasons. The airfield was situated on valuable land close to the growing Cowes township and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The land was sold to private developers and subsequently rezoned for commercial and light industrial use. The opening of the new Phillip Island Airport (YPID) at a different location on the island rendered this original airfield redundant, facilitating its closure and redevelopment.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped and is now the Phillip Island Business Park. The area is a hub for light industrial and commercial activity, containing warehouses, automotive workshops, storage facilities, and various local businesses. The legacy of the airfield is preserved in the name of a road that runs through the estate, 'Airport Street'. While the land is now developed, faint outlines of the former runways can still be traced on satellite imagery in the remaining undeveloped grassy portions of the business park.

This was the original airfield for Phillip Island, serving as a key transportation and tourism link for several decades after World War II. It primarily handled general aviation, including private aircraft, charter flights, and a flying school. Its operations were vital for the island's burgeoning tourism industry, offering scenic flights over major attractions like the Penguin Parade, the Nobbies, and the Grand Prix Circuit. For the community, it provided a fast connection to the mainland for business, medical emergencies, and recreational flying before the island's road infrastructure was significantly modernized.

There are zero prospects for reopening this airport. The land has been permanently and irreversibly redeveloped for commercial and industrial use. All aviation needs for Phillip Island are served by the current, operational Phillip Island Airport (ICAO: YPID), which is located several kilometers to the west near the coast.