Fairford Airport : introduction
Fairford Airport, known as Royal Air Force Fairford, is open to military air traffic.
Located 900m from the centre of Coningsby, Gloucestershire, it can accommodate all types of aircraft, whatever their cargo, from very light jets to turboprops.
AEROAFFAIRES tells you everything you need to know about planning your flight from RAF Fairford Airport.
History of Fairford Airport
- 1944 : the airport was built to accommodate British and American gliders for the Normandy landing. In the same year it was used to transport British troops during Operation Market Garden.
- 1947 : The base is selected to receive Strategic Air Command units.
- 1948 : RAF Fairford is occupied by Soviet troops as a deterrent to the Soviet threat in Europe.
- 1950 : The airfield is transferred to the United States Air Force for strategic bombing operations. A 3,000 metre runway is built.
- 1953 : The runway is completed and used for the first time by the Convair B-36 Peacemaker aircraft.
- 1969 : The runway is chosen as the British test centre for the Concorde aircraft.
- 1991 : The airport is used for the First Gulf War.
- 1999 : The base is used again for the military operation “Allied Force”.
- 2003 : the last major use was for the Iraq war.
- Since 2014 : regular heavy bomber exercises are organised.
