Plymouth City Airport

The closure was for economic reasons. The airport's viability collapsed following the withdrawal of its last scheduled airline, Air Southwest, in September 2011. This event triggered a clause in the long-term lease held by Sutton Harbour Holdings (a property development company), which allowed them to cease operations if the airport was proven to be uneconomic. Declining passenger numbers in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the perceived higher value of the land for housing and commercial development were key contributing factors to the decision.

The site is currently disused and fenced off. The runway, taxiways, and terminal building remain in place but are in a state of disrepair and are not maintained. While the core airfield has been safeguarded from major development by local planning policy, some peripheral land has been redeveloped, including the construction of the Derriford Health & Wellbeing Centre. The site is essentially a dormant brownfield area, awaiting a final decision on its long-term future.

Opened in 1925 at Roborough, Plymouth City Airport (correct former ICAO: EGHD, IATA: PLH) was a historically significant regional airport. During World War II, it was requisitioned as RAF Roborough and played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain and as a base for anti-submarine patrols. After the war, it returned to civilian use and became a vital transport link for Devon and Cornwall. It was the founding base for Brymon Airways, an innovative airline known for operating STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft like the de Havilland Canada Dash 7. For decades, the airport connected the South West to major hubs including London (Gatwick and Heathrow), Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, and the Channel Islands. Due to its relatively short runway, operations were primarily handled by smaller turboprop aircraft like the Dash 8.

The prospect of reopening is a subject of intense local debate and a sustained campaign. An organization named 'FlyPlymouth' actively advocates for the airport's revival, arguing for its strategic importance to the regional economy, tourism, and business connectivity. The Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan has officially safeguarded the site for potential aviation use, preventing the landowner from redeveloping it for housing until the policy is reviewed. However, significant obstacles remain: the leaseholder, Sutton Harbour Holdings, remains focused on a housing-led development plan. Reopening would require substantial private or public investment to refurbish the infrastructure to modern standards and, crucially, a viable business plan with a committed airline operator. While the future is uncertain, ongoing political pressure and strong local campaigns keep the possibility of reopening alive.