Southampton, England: Airport Or Not?

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. Southampton Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1910 when it was used as a takeoff and landing spot for pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon's monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. Over the years, the airport has changed hands and expanded, with a recent runway extension in 2023 aiming to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger numbers.

Southampton Airport's location

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. The airport is located 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) north-northeast of central Southampton. The southern tip of the runway lies within the Southampton unitary authority boundary, with most of the airport, including all of the buildings, within the Borough of Eastleigh.

The airport has a Southampton address, but its site was previously known as North Stoneham Farm, where pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the meadows as a takeoff and landing spot for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II, in 1910. The site became known as Eastleigh Airfield. During the First World War, the Royal Flying Corps earmarked the site as an aircraft acceptance base, but it was handed over to the US Navy Air Service (NAS) and designated NAS Eastleigh when they arrived in 1917.

In 1932, Southampton Corporation purchased the site, and it became Southampton Municipal Airport. By 1935, part of the site was being used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was known as RAF Eastleigh before becoming RAF Southampton in 1936. The first test flight of the Supermarine Spitfire took place at the airport on 5 March 1936, commemorated in 2004 by the erection of a sculpture of K5054, the prototype Spitfire, at the road entrance. The site was transferred to naval command in 1939 and renamed RNAS Eastleigh (HMS Raven).

In 2016, Southampton Airport handled nearly two million passengers, making it the UK's 18th busiest airport. The airport aims to increase passenger numbers to five million by 2037 with the help of a runway extension completed in 2023.

History of Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport, located in Hampshire, England, has a long history as one of the oldest operational airfields in the UK and the world. The airport has played a significant role in the history of aviation and has witnessed several pivotal moments.

The history of Southampton Airport can be traced back to 1910 when pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the meadows of North Stoneham Farm as a takeoff and landing spot for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. The site became known as Eastleigh Airfield. In 1914, Gustav Hamel performed a public flying display on his Morain Saulnier Monoplane, attracting 10,000 spectators. During World War I, the site was earmarked by the War Office as an aircraft acceptance base and was later handed over to the United States Navy Air Service (NAS), becoming known as NAS Eastleigh.

In 1932, Southampton Corporation purchased the site, and it became Southampton Municipal Airport. The Royal Air Force (RAF) also began using a part of the site in 1935, and it was briefly known as RAF Eastleigh before becoming RAF Southampton in 1936. Supermarine established a flight test facility at the airport, and on March 5, 1936, the first test flight of the Supermarine Spitfire, an aviation icon, took place. This event was commemorated in 2004 with the erection of a sculpture of K5054, the prototype Spitfire.

During World War II, the airport was transferred to naval command and renamed RNAS Eastleigh (HMS Raven). It served as a ground and air training base for the Royal Navy, and sporadic raids were made on the airport in an attempt to disrupt aircraft assembly. Nazi propaganda inaccurately reported that HMS Raven had been sunk when a bombing raid hit the airport.

After the war, in 1945, the airport resumed operations as a municipal airport, offering regular services to the Channel Islands. By the early 1950s, Southampton Airport was one of the busiest airports outside of London. Improvements were made over the years, including the construction of a new runway, and in 1984, Airports UK Ltd was appointed to manage the airport and improve its facilities.

In 1990, British Airways Airports (BAA) purchased the airport and invested £27 million in its redevelopment. The airport was renamed Southampton International Airport, and the new passenger terminal was opened by HRH the Duke of York in 1994. Since then, Southampton Airport has continued to thrive, serving as a vital transport hub for the South of England and offering flights to numerous European destinations. The airport has also been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and has implemented several energy-efficient initiatives.

Airlines operating from Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. The airport is about a ten-minute drive from Southampton city centre and has its own train station, with regular services to and from London Waterloo.

Before its demise, Flybe was the airport's main airline, offering flights to Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Belfast City, Dublin, and Edinburgh, as well as several French towns and cities like Paris, Perpignan, Nice, Rennes, and Limoges.

Other airlines that operate or have operated from Southampton Airport include:

• Aer Arann
• Skybus
• Blue Islands
• Inghams
• Eastern Airways
• Air France
• Aurigny
• British Airways
• Chalair
• EasyJet
• KLM
• Loganair
• Tui

In addition to these, Southampton Airport has also witnessed significant moments in aviation history. The site became known as Eastleigh Airfield when pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the meadows of North Stoneham Farm as a takeoff and landing spot for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II, in 1910. The first test flight of the Supermarine Spitfire also took place at the airport on March 5, 1936, commemorated by a two-thirds-size sculpture at the road entrance.

Hotels near Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. The airport is about 4 miles from Southampton city centre, and there are plenty of hotel options nearby.

The Holiday Inn Southampton-Eastleigh M3, Jct13, an IHG Hotel, is 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from the airport. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi, a restaurant, a health club, and spacious rooms. The Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7, another IHG hotel, is also a popular choice for travellers. Guests praise the friendly and helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and ample free parking.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Southampton is a little further away at 1.8 miles (2.9 km) but still offers convenient access to the airport. This 4-star hotel features free WiFi, a restaurant, and a bar. The Village Hotel Southampton Eastleigh is also 1.8 miles (2.8 km) from the airport and provides guests with free WiFi, a restaurant, and a spa tub.

For those seeking a more extended stay or a different experience, the Leonardo Hotel Southampton (formerly Jurys Inn) is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) away. This 4-star hotel provides free WiFi, a restaurant, a bar, and spacious rooms. The Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour, 4.1 miles (6.6 km) from the airport, is another option in the Leonardo Hotels group.

Southampton Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1910 when pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the site for his monoplane, the Moonbeam Mk II. The airport has seen various transformations over the years, including serving as a test facility for the Supermarine Spitfire in 1936 and playing a role in naval aviation during World War II. Today, it is a bustling airport, aiming to increase passenger numbers and expand its capabilities with a runway extension.

Flights from Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. Southampton Airport is approximately 6.5 km or 4 miles from central Southampton.

The airport has a rich history, with aviation beginning at the site in 1910 when Edwin Rowland Moon used the meadows belonging to North Stoneham Farm as a takeoff and landing spot for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. The site became known as Eastleigh Airfield and was used by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. In 1932, Southampton Corporation purchased the site, and it became Southampton Municipal Airport. The first test flight of the Supermarine Spitfire took place at the airport on 5 March 1936, an event commemorated in 2004 with the erection of a sculpture of K5054, the prototype Spitfire.

In recent years, Southampton Airport has undergone developments to extend its runway to support larger aircraft and enable longer routes. The airport aims to increase passenger numbers from 2 million to 5 million by 2037.

Southampton Airport offers a range of destinations for travellers, catering to those seeking cultural city breaks, relaxing beach holidays, or local expeditions. The airport has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence, allowing for public transport flights and flying instruction.

For travellers' convenience, Southampton Airport also has a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, located on the South West Main Line. This provides easy access to and from the airport, with London Waterloo 66 minutes away and the Southampton city centre only about 7 minutes away by train.

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