Jazmin Li
Southampton Airport (SOU) has a rich history of aviation innovation, dating back to 1910 when Edwin Rowland Moon used meadows near North Stoneham Farm as a landing spot for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. The airport has undergone several transformations since then, with the Royal Air Force (RAF) using part of the site by 1935, Supermarine establishing a flight test facility in 1936, and Saunders-Roe constructing a rotor testing building in the 1950s. Today, Southampton Airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, serving various destinations and striving to enhance regional connectivity. The airport has recently extended its runway to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger numbers, while also implementing sustainable practices and health protection measures.
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What You'll Learn
- The airport's history, including its use by the Royal Air Force in 1935
- The airport's owner, AGS Airports, and its sustainability efforts
- The airport's main ground handler, Swissport, and passenger services
- The airport's runway extension plans and increased passenger targets
- The airport's call for stronger regional connectivity after a visit from the UK Aviation Minister
The airport's history, including its use by the Royal Air Force in 1935
Southampton Airport, located in Hampshire, England, has a rich history that dates back to the early days of aviation. The site's connection with aviation 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. In 1914, Gustav Hamel performed aerobatic loops and tail dives in a public flying display witnessed by ten thousand people. During World War I, the site was identified as an aircraft acceptance base by the Royal Flying Corps, but it was handed over to the United States Navy Air Service (NAS) in 1917 and designated NAS Eastleigh.
By 1935, the site was being used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was known as RAF Eastleigh. It became RAF Southampton in 1936. Supermarine opened a flight test facility on the site in the same year, and the first test flight of the Supermarine Spitfire took place on March 5, 1936. This event was later commemorated with the erection of a sculpture at the airport entrance. In 1937-38, Supermarine built a large new Flight Shed at the south end of the aerodrome, followed by the construction of the Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft factory nearby.
During World War II, the military site was transferred to naval command in 1939 and renamed HMS Raven. It served as a ground and air training base for the Royal Navy. Despite sporadic raids on the airport, German propaganda inaccurately reported that HMS Raven had been sunk. After the war, in 1945, regular air services to the Channel Islands resumed, and Southampton Airport continued to develop.
In the early 1950s, Southampton Airport was one of the busiest airports outside of London. Silver City Airways operated a popular cross-channel car ferry service using Bristol Freighters and Superfreighters. In 1951, Saunders-Roe took over the interests of Cierva Autogyro and built a rotor-testing building on the eastern side of the airfield. In 1959, the airport was purchased by racing pilot J.N. 'Nat' Somers, who played a crucial role in its development. He negotiated with British Rail to build the Southampton Airport Parkway railway station and worked with the Department of Transport to ensure the M27 motorway passed through the airport, improving accessibility.
Over the years, Southampton Airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities. In 1984, Airports UK Ltd, a subsidiary of BAA, took over the management of the airport, and a new passenger terminal was opened by HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York. More recently, in 2016, the airport won the Airport of the Year award from the European Regional Airlines Association for its involvement with the local community and carbon footprint reduction. In 2019, it was ranked third in the UK for customer satisfaction by Which? magazine. The airport has also attracted notable visitors, including then-President Donald Trump in 2016.
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The airport's owner, AGS Airports, and its sustainability efforts
Southampton Airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns and operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. AGS Airports Limited was established in 2014, and its airports have been serving their respective communities for decades.
AGS Airports is committed to sustainability and has developed a sustainability strategy that sets out a framework for reducing the carbon footprint of its operations. The strategy is anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are defined as "a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are based on three pillars: social progress, economic growth, and environmental protection.
AGS Airports has achieved carbon neutrality and is working towards achieving net-zero carbon for its direct emissions by the mid-2030s. The company has also signed up to Sustainable Aviation's decarbonisation roadmap, the first national net-zero aviation commitment in the world. In addition, AGS has joined airports across Europe in signing ACI Europe's NetZero 2050 pledge, committing to net-zero emissions for the carbon under its control by 2050.
AGS Airports recognises that operating important infrastructure comes with responsibilities to people, communities, and the environment. Its sustainability strategy sets out how the company will balance the economic and social benefits of aviation with its climate change responsibilities, ensuring that it grows in a responsible and sustainable manner.
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The airport's main ground handler, Swissport, and passenger services
Southampton Airport has one main ground handler, Swissport (Servisair), which handles all passenger services and apron operations for all airlines except for Aurigny Air Services, which operates its own ground handling. Swissport took over from Aviance.
Swissport is responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of passengers and aircraft at Southampton Airport. This includes managing passenger check-in, boarding, and departure processes, as well as coordinating with other airport departments and airlines to ensure on-time performance and a positive travel experience for passengers.
Passenger services at Southampton Airport are designed to provide a seamless and comfortable journey for travellers. The airport offers a range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. These include a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, which provides convenient transport links to and from the airport. The airport also has a special assistance programme, offering 'Helping Hands' lanyards to passengers who may require additional support throughout their journey.
In addition to ground handling and passenger services, Swissport also plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and staff at Southampton Airport. The airport's website emphasizes that safety and security are the cornerstone of everything they do. This includes implementing health protection measures, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, for which Southampton Airport has been recognised by the International Safety Awards.
Southampton Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1910 when pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the site for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. Over the years, the airport has undergone various developments, including the construction of runways and buildings, and changes in ownership. Today, the airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports, which also owns Aberdeen and Glasgow airports.
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The airport's runway extension plans and increased passenger targets
Southampton Airport, owned and operated by AGS Airports, has been a consistent aviation pioneer since its inception in 1910. The airport has one asphalt runway, down from three grass runways in the past. In 2019, the airport announced plans to extend its runway by 164 meters to the north, enabling it to accommodate larger aircraft and facilitating longer routes. This extension was deemed necessary to increase passenger numbers from 2 million to 5 million by 2037 and ensure the airport's continued operation.
Work on the runway extension began on March 31, 2023, and it became operational on August 15, 2023, with an official opening ceremony on September 21, attended by the Aviation Minister. This extension allows Southampton Airport to cater to larger aircraft, which was not possible with the previous runway length. The ability to accommodate larger aircraft opens up the possibility of longer routes and increased passenger numbers.
The original concrete runway at Southampton Airport was built in 1963 by racing pilot and airport owner J.N. 'Nat' Somers. Over the years, the airport has undergone various developments, including the construction of the Southampton Airport Parkway railway station and the M27 motorway, which passes through the airport. The airport has a rich history, with aviation pioneer Edwin Rowland Moon using the site for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II, as early as 1910. During the 1930s, the site was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and became known as RAF Southampton in 1936.
AGS Airports, the operator of Southampton Airport, has been recognised for its sustainable efforts by the organisation Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark. This recognition highlights the group's commitment to sustainability and its fight against climate change. As part of their sustainability strategy, AGS Airports has introduced biodegradable bags at security checkpoints in Southampton Airport, alongside Aberdeen and Glasgow airports.
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The airport's call for stronger regional connectivity after a visit from the UK Aviation Minister
Southampton Airport has a rich history in aviation, dating back to 1910 when pioneer pilot Edwin Rowland Moon used the site for his monoplane, Moonbeam Mk II. The airport has changed hands several times, with notable contributions from the Royal Air Force, Supermarine, Saunders-Roe, and racing pilot J.N. 'Nat' Somers, who laid the foundation for the regional airport we see today.
In recent years, Southampton Airport has faced challenges, particularly with the loss of Flybe, which operated 95% of its flights until the airline ceased operations in 2020. The airport has also proposed a runway extension to support larger aircraft and increase passenger numbers, a project that was completed in 2023 with the support of the Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere.
In January 2020, the UK's Aviation Minister, Paul Maynard, launched a tour of regional airports as part of the Department for Transport's Regional Air Connectivity Review. The initiative aimed to strengthen regional connectivity and drive economic growth across the UK. Liverpool John Lennon Airport was the first stop on the tour, chosen for its role as a vital hub with 69 domestic flights weekly, serving the North West and North Wales.
The Regional Air Connectivity Review is a commitment by the Prime Minister to ensure that all regions of the UK have the domestic transport connections that local communities rely on, including regional services from local airports. The Department for Transport is working closely with the aviation industry, local regions, and devolved nations to identify how best to support connectivity and ensure that all corners of the country benefit from economic prosperity.
Southampton Airport, with its historical significance and aspirations for growth, stands to gain from stronger regional connectivity. The airport's unique position and history, combined with the government's initiatives to improve transport connections, highlight the importance of continued investment and support for regional airports across the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Southampton Airport has been an aviation pioneer since 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. By 1935, the site was being used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was known as RAF Southampton by 1936. The airport was purchased by racing pilot J.N. 'Nat' Somers in 1959, who laid the foundation for the regional airport that exists today.
Southampton Airport has one asphalt runway, whereas there used to be three grass runways. In September 2019, the airport announced plans to extend its runway north by 164m to allow it to support larger aircraft, with the aim of increasing passenger numbers from 2 million to 5 million by 2037. The new runway extension became operational on 15 August 2023.
Southampton Airport has been recognised for its sustainable efforts by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark. The airport, along with Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, has introduced biodegradable bags at security checkpoints and new health protection measures as part of its fight against climate change.
Southampton Airport is owned and operated by AGS Airports. Until March 2020, 95% of the flights from Southampton were operated by Flybe, which has since ceased operations. Other airlines that operate from Southampton include easyJet, which flies to Paris Orly, and Aurigny Air Services, which operates its own ground handling.
Southampton Airport has a dedicated mainline railway station, Southampton Airport Parkway, which is 66 minutes from London Waterloo and 7 minutes from Southampton city centre. The airport also has a special assistance programme, where passengers can wear a 'Helping Hands' lanyard to indicate that they may need additional support throughout their journey.
