South Hampton's Airport: Where And What To Know

Southampton Airport is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. It is located 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) north-northeast of central Southampton. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. Southampton Airport handled nearly two million passengers during 2016, making it the 18th busiest airport in the UK.

Southampton Airport's history

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England. The airport is about 4 miles north-northeast of central Southampton. Southampton Airport has one terminal with twelve stands and one asphalt runway.

The history of aviation in Southampton dates back to 1910 when Edwin Rowland Moon, a pioneer pilot, 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 1913, Gustav Hamel performed a public flying display on his Morain Saulnier Monoplane, attracting ten thousand spectators. During World War I, the site was earmarked by the Royal Flying Corps as an aircraft acceptance base, but it was handed over to the United States Navy Air Service (NAS) in 1917 and designated NAS Eastleigh.

In 1932, Southampton Corporation purchased the site, and it became Southampton Municipal Airport. The Hampshire Aeroplane Club moved its operations to the airport in 1933, and among its members was RJ Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire. Supermarine, the company behind the Spitfire, opened a flight test facility at the airport in 1936, and the first test flight of the Spitfire took place there on March 5, 1936. During World War II, the airport was transferred to naval command and renamed RNAS Eastleigh (HMS Raven), serving as a training ground for the Royal Navy.

Post-war, Southampton Airport resumed regular air services, and by the 1950s, it was one of the busiest airports outside of London. Silver City Airways operated a cross-channel car ferry service, and in 1959, the airport was purchased by racing pilot J.N. Somers, who secured its financial future and made significant improvements. In the 1960s, the airport faced an economic slump, but a new air traffic control tower was built, and in 1984, Airports UK Ltd was appointed to manage its operations, beginning a series of facility improvements.

In the 1990s, BAA plc purchased the site and invested heavily in its development. The 'New Southampton Airport' opened in 1994, and by 1997, it served 631,000 passengers. In more recent years, Southampton Airport has continued to develop, attracting new airlines and destinations. In 2012, it was recognised with the ACI Airport People Award for its strong customer service culture. However, the airport has also faced challenges, with the potential threat of closure in 2021 if a runway extension was not approved. The extension was eventually completed and opened in September 2023, ensuring the airport's continued operation.

Airlines that serve Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England, 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north-northeast of central Southampton. The airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. Southampton Airport has one terminal with twelve stands and facilities including coffee shops, bars, stationers, a duty-free shop, and an upstairs lounge. The airport handled nearly two million passengers in 2016, an 8.8% increase from 2015, making it the 18th busiest airport in the UK. In 2019, it was ranked third out of 30 UK airports for customer satisfaction by Which? magazine.

Several airlines operate regular scheduled services to and from Southampton Airport. Up to March 2020, 95% of the flights from Southampton were operated by Flybe. However, the airline went into administration, and all flights were cancelled. When Flybe was purchased and relaunched, it was announced that they would start serving Southampton Airport from 23 July 2022. On 25 May 2023, easyJet announced that they would commence flying to two domestic destinations, Glasgow and Belfast International, with twice-weekly and thrice-weekly flights, respectively, starting in late October 2023. easyJet also added three summer routes: weekly flights to Faro and Alicante, and twice-weekly flights to Palma de Mallorca. In 2016, Aer Lingus Regional announced it would fly from Southampton to Cork Airport with an ATR 72 operated by Stobart Air. On 9 December 2020, British Airways (BA CityFlyer) revealed plans to fly to 13 destinations, primarily holiday spots in Spain, Portugal, France, Austria, Italy, and Greece.

Southampton Airport has a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, located on the South West Main Line. It offers a fast and frequent service to London Waterloo (66 minutes away), Winchester (15 minutes away), Southampton city centre (7 minutes away), Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, and Weymouth.

Destinations from Southampton Airport

Southampton Airport in England offers a range of destinations for travellers, catering to those seeking a cultural city break, a beach holiday, or a local expedition. The airport has a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, which provides convenient access to nearby cities and towns.

For those interested in exploring UK destinations, Southampton Airport offers flights to Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, Manchester, Newcastle, and the Channel Islands, including Alderney and Guernsey. These destinations provide opportunities for travellers to experience the diverse culture, history, and natural beauty that the UK has to offer.

When it comes to international travel, Southampton Airport serves several popular European cities and beach destinations. Travellers can fly directly to Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris, and Geneva, offering easy access to iconic landmarks, rich history, and cultural experiences. For those seeking a sunny beach getaway, the airport provides flights to Alicante, Faro, and Palma de Mallorca, where travellers can enjoy beautiful beaches, scenic landscapes, and a range of leisure activities.

In addition to these destinations, Southampton Airport has a variety of airlines operating regular scheduled services. Up until March 2020, 95% of the flights from Southampton were operated by Flybe. However, the airline ceased operations and then resumed services to Southampton Airport in July 2022. EasyJet has also recently expanded its presence at the airport, announcing flights to Faro, Alicante, and Palma de Mallorca as summer destinations.

With its range of destinations and convenient transport connections, Southampton Airport provides travellers with a gateway to explore diverse locations, catering to different travel preferences and interests.

Transport to and from Southampton Airport

Southampton International Airport is located 3.7 miles from Southampton and serves many UK and European destinations. It has flights to and from destinations, including the Channel Islands, France, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy.

By Rail

Southampton Airport has a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, which is a stopping point for trains to and from London Waterloo (approximately a 1-hour and 10-minute journey) and Southampton Central Station (a 10-minute journey). The local rail network services many suburbs and towns on the periphery of the city, including Eastleigh, Romsey, Woolston, and Redbridge. Southampton Central rail station is served by direct trains to and from many cities across the country.

By Road

Southampton is located at the convergence of two major motorways, and it is easy to reach by road. There is also a taxi rank at the airport.

By Bus

There is a bus stop at the airport from which you can catch the Unilink buses into the center.

By Air

The nearest airports to Southampton, other than Southampton Airport, are London Gatwick (57.1 miles), London Heathrow (57.1 miles), Bristol (66.1 miles), and London Luton (81.2 miles).

Runway extension plans

Southampton Airport (IATA: SOU, ICAO: EGHI) is an international airport located in both Eastleigh and Southampton, Hampshire, England.

In September 2019, Southampton Airport announced plans to extend its runway north by 164 metres to accommodate larger aircraft and enable longer routes. The airport aimed to increase its passenger numbers from 2 million to 5 million by 2037. The managing director claimed that the airport may have to close in 2021 if the extension was not approved. The runway extension was controversial, with campaigners objecting on the grounds of climate change and noise. Planning documents revealed that the number of people affected by noise would increase from 11,450 in 2020 to 46,050 in 2033 if the expansion went ahead.

The scheme was approved in April 2021, despite the objections. The Court of Appeal upheld Eastleigh Borough Council's decision, and construction on the extension began on 31 March 2023. The £17-million investment was expected to attract more airlines, deliver new routes and services, and enhance regional connectivity. The extension would also safeguard the airport's future and contribute to the Central South's economic success.

The new 164-metre runway extension became operational on 15 August 2023, with an official opening on 21 September 2023. The event was attended by the Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere, local politicians, and members of the Eastleigh Borough Council.

Frequently asked questions