Portsmouth, England: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Portsmouth, England, does not currently have an airport. Portsmouth Airport, also known as Portsmouth City Airport, Portsmouth Worldwide Airport, and Hilsea Airport, was one of the last remaining commercial grass runway airports in the United Kingdom. However, it closed after its last official flight on December 31, 1973, following accidents with larger aircraft in the 1960s. Portsmouth's closest airport is now Pease International Tradeport (PSM) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the United States.

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, New Hampshire, US

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is located in Portsmouth, a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. Formerly known as Pease International Airport, it is a civil and military airport located one nautical mile (2 km) west of Portsmouth's central business district. The airport is owned by the Pease Development Authority and is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021, categorised as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.

Portsmouth International Airport covers an area of 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) at an elevation of 100 feet (30 metres) above mean sea level. It features a single concrete and asphalt runway, designated 16/34, with a length of 11,322 feet (3,451 metres) and a width of 150 feet (46 metres). The airport caters to a range of aircraft operations, including general aviation, military, air taxi, and scheduled commercial flights. As of September 30, 2019, the airport recorded an average of 269 aircraft operations per day, with a total of 132 aircraft based at the facility.

The airport has a rich history, having been part of the former Pease Air Force Base. It shares its runway with the Pease Air National Guard Base, which is home to the 157th Air Refueling Wing of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. The airport has also witnessed several notable incidents involving civilian aircraft.

Portsmouth International Airport offers both domestic and international flights, providing convenient access to destinations in the southern United States and beyond. It is easily accessible by road, located just off I-95, the country's major north-south corridor. The airport boasts efficient and affordable travel options, with convenient parking and ground transportation available.

The airport has undergone several improvement projects, including a $24 million runway reconstruction completed in September 2020 and a $19.5 million passenger terminal expansion finished in December 2021. These enhancements contribute to the airport's goal of providing a pleasant travel experience for its customers.

Portsmouth Airport, Hampshire, UK

Portsmouth Airport, also known as Portsmouth City Airport, Portsmouth Worldwide Airport (PWA), and Hilsea Airport, was an airport in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. It was located at the northeast Hilsea corner of Portsea Island on the south coast of England. The airport was constructed in 1931 and 1932 as Portsmouth's municipal airport, and an opening display was held for the public on July 2, 1932, with an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy airliner and other civil and military aircraft in attendance.

During World War II, Portsmouth Airport played a crucial role in the National Air Communications Scheme. PSIOWA planes and pilots, including renowned aviator Amy Johnson, were engaged in military service, while the airport facilities were utilised to repair and modify military aircraft. In the post-war years, Portsmouth Aviation, the successor to PSIOWA, designed and flew the Portsmouth Aerocar, a unique five-seat aircraft with a twin-engined, twin-boom, high-wing configuration.

However, Portsmouth Airport faced challenges due to its limited expansion options, being sandwiched between Hilsea railway station and Langstone Harbour. The airport's grass runway also posed safety concerns, particularly with larger aircraft. In the 1960s, a series of accidents involving larger planes, including the Channel Airways Hawker Siddeley HS 748-222, led to the airport's eventual closure. The last official flight took place on December 31, 1973, bringing an end to Portsmouth Airport's operations.

Today, the legacy of Portsmouth Airport lives on through the Nevil Shute Norway, an aeronautical engineer and novelist who worked for Airspeed, a company associated with the airport. Two roads near the former airport site bear his name: Norway Road and Nevil Shute Way. Portsmouth Airport's story reflects the evolution of aviation in the region and the adaptations made to meet the changing demands of air travel.

Pease International Tradeport (PSM)

The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years. In May 2019, the Pease Development Authority approved a $24 million runway reconstruction project, which was completed in September 2020. This was followed by a $19.5 million passenger terminal expansion project that concluded in December 2021. The expanded terminal offers improved facilities and enhanced capacity to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

Manchester Airport (MHT)

In recent years, Manchester Airport (MHT) has seen many changes in its service offerings. In 2019, American Airlines announced service to Chicago O'Hare, filling the gap left by United when they discontinued their O'Hare service. United Airlines also announced a new service to Washington-Dulles instead of Newark in March 2019, but this service was discontinued on January 4, 2022. Delta Air Lines also announced its departure from MHT in November 2020. However, new airlines have joined the roster, such as Spirit Airlines, which became the first new airline to begin service at Manchester-Boston since Air Canada in 2004. Spirit Airlines now offers service to four cities in Florida and seasonal service to Myrtle Beach.

JetBlue has also recently joined the lineup at Manchester Airport (MHT), announcing daily service to Orlando, Florida, three times weekly service to Fort Myers, Florida, and four times weekly service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in January 2025. JetBlue is also launching daily nonstop flights to New York City (JFK) in June 2025. Avelo Airlines is expanding its destinations from MHT as well, adding two new destinations: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in South Carolina and Wilmington International Airport (ILM) in North Carolina, starting in April 2025.

The airport has also seen infrastructure improvements. Construction began in 2007 on Raymond Wieczorek Drive, an expressway connection to improve access to the airport. This access road opened in November 2011, providing a direct route to the airport from nearby highways. Additionally, a proposed extension of the MBTA Commuter Rail system's Lowell Line could bring trains to a new Bedford/MHT Station, improving transportation options for travellers.

Logan Airport (BOS)

Portsmouth, England does not have its own airport. However, there are several airports nearby, including Logan Airport (BOS), which is located in East Boston and partially in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Logan Airport, also known as Boston Logan International Airport or General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is a large hub airport serving Massachusetts and the New England region. It is the largest airport in Massachusetts and the busiest in the Northeastern United States outside the New York metropolitan area. The airport is named after General Edward Lawrence Logan, a 20th-century soldier and politician from Boston.

History

Logan Airport opened on September 8, 1923, and was initially used by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps. At that time, it was referred to as \"Boston Air Port\" at Jeffries Point. The first scheduled commercial passenger flights began in 1927, with Colonial Air Transport operating between Boston and New York City. During the 1940s and 1950s, the airport expanded significantly, adding terminals and fill in Boston Harbor to accommodate growing demand for air travel.

Facilities and Services

Logan Airport covers 2,384 acres and features six runways and four passenger terminals. The airport offers direct flights to over 100 domestic and international destinations, served by more than 40 different airlines. It provides a range of accessible transportation options, including water, bus, and rail services. The MBTA Blue Line, Silver Line, and Water Ferry provide convenient connections to and from the airport.

Accessibility

Boston Logan International Airport is committed to providing accessible facilities and services for people with disabilities. The airport conducts surveys and provides contact information for the ADA Coordinator to gather feedback and ensure accessibility.

Frequently asked questions