RAF Clifton

The primary reason for closure was military downsizing following the end of World War II. As a purpose-built wartime airfield, it became surplus to the Royal Air Force's post-war requirements after the rapid demobilization and reduction in the size of RAF Bomber Command.

The site has been completely redeveloped and is unrecognizable as an airfield. It is now the location of the Clifton Moor Retail Park, a major commercial, retail, and leisure area for the city of York. The former airfield land is occupied by large supermarkets (Tesco, Morrisons), a Vue cinema, restaurants, numerous retail stores, a light industrial estate, and modern housing developments. Almost no physical trace of the original runways, taxiways, or wartime buildings remains, although some local road names, such as Stirling Road, allude to its aviation past.

RAF Clifton was a significant World War II airfield that opened in 1942. It served as a satellite station for the larger RAF Linton-on-Ousley and was part of No. 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command. Its primary role was as a heavy bomber base, operating Handley Page Halifax bombers. Squadrons that operated from Clifton included No. 76 Squadron RAF and several Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons, notably No. 429 'Bison' Squadron and No. 432 'Leaside' Squadron.

A unique and crucial aspect of its history was its direct link to aircraft production. The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) built a large factory at Clifton for the final assembly of Halifax bombers, whose components were constructed at the LNER's main carriage works in York. Completed aircraft were then towed across the A64 main road to the airfield for their maiden test flights before being delivered to operational squadrons. Over 200 Halifax bombers were built and flown from this site, making it a vital part of the UK's wartime aircraft production effort.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening RAF Clifton as an airport. The site has been permanently and extensively redeveloped for commercial and residential use, making any return to aviation activities impossible.