RAF North Killingholme

Military Drawdown / End of World War II. The primary reason for closure was the end of World War II and the subsequent demobilization of RAF Bomber Command. With the cessation of hostilities, the vast network of wartime airfields was no longer required, and RAF North Killingholme was deemed surplus to post-war requirements.

The site has been completely redeveloped and is now a major industrial and logistics hub, often referred to as the South Killingholme Industrial Estate. It is a vital part of the Port of Immingham's infrastructure, home to numerous businesses, including the large C.RO Ports Killingholme terminal, which is a significant center for roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight and vehicle imports/exports. While most of the original airfield infrastructure is gone, some sections of the former runways and perimeter tracks have been incorporated into the modern road network of the industrial estate. The original layout is still partially visible from the air.

RAF North Killingholme was a purpose-built Class A bomber airfield constructed during World War II. It opened in November 1943 and was assigned to No. 1 Group of RAF Bomber Command. Its primary and most famous residents were No. 550 Squadron, which formed at the nearby RAF Waltham (Grimsby) and moved to North Killingholme in January 1944. The squadron operated exclusively with Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. From this base, No. 550 Squadron flew hundreds of strategic bombing missions over Germany and occupied Europe, playing a significant role in the Allied bombing campaign. The station also briefly hosted No. 100 Squadron. Like many Bomber Command airfields, it was associated with a high cost in both aircrew and aircraft; No. 550 Squadron lost 59 Lancasters on operations. A memorial dedicated to the squadron is maintained near the former airfield's entrance.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF North Killingholme as an airport. The site has been extensively and irreversibly redeveloped for heavy industrial and port-related use. The land is now a vital component of the region's logistics and industrial economy, making any conversion back to an airfield both economically and practically infeasible. Regional aviation needs are served by the nearby Humberside Airport (EGNJ).