Coventry Airport, a significant transport hub in the West Midlands for nearly 90 years, is set to close permanently on June 11, 2026. The closure is a key step in the development of a battery gigafactory at the airport site, which is part of the Greenpower Park initiative. This project, a collaboration between the City Council and the airport, has received £23 million in funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority as of January 2023.
Once known for its bustling commercial flights, Coventry Airport has seen a decline in air traffic in recent years. The airport previously facilitated flights to Poland via budget airline Wizz Air until 2008, and was even visited by Pope John Paul II in 1982. Currently, its operations are limited to the Air Ambulance Service and private charter flights.
Local residents express disappointment over the airport’s impending closure. Isabella Boneham shared her sentiments on social media platform X, stating, “I think Coventry Airport closing is a real shame — not only for the city and its history, but for travel in the West Midlands.” She emphasized the potential for the airport to resume commercial operations in the future, highlighting the loss of a vital transport link.
Transition to Greenpower Park
The decision to close the airport follows the planning approval granted for the Greenpower Park gigafactory in 2022. A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed, “Coventry Aerodrome has given formal notice to us of its plan to close the airport permanently.” The Rigby Group, which owns the airport, noted that this procedural submission aligns with the infrastructure development for the gigafactory.
The gigafactory is expected to create over 30,000 jobs and attract approximately £5.5 billion in private investment. The initiative aims to establish a hub for automotive investment, including facilities for suppliers, a UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, and various technology parks and retail opportunities. This development is part of the West Midlands Investment Zone, a government effort to enhance the region’s manufacturing sector.
Impact on Local Services and Community
While no commercial passenger flights operate from Coventry Airport currently, the Air Ambulance Service will be affected by the closure. However, a spokesperson for the service assured that the closure would not disrupt their essential operations. They are working closely with the airport’s management and the CAA to ensure their missions can continue, even after other operations cease. Plans are underway to establish a new airbase, with more details expected to be released in the coming year.
The Coventry Aeroplane Club and Nimrod Preservation Group, both flight schools, will also feel the impact of the closure. Despite the airport’s impending shutdown, local residents will not be required to relocate during the construction of the gigafactory, allowing for continued use of the facilities for the time being.
The closure of Coventry Airport echoes recent trends in the aviation sector, such as the closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2022, which was cited as financially unviable despite local efforts to keep it operational. In contrast, plans are underway to potentially reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport for freight operations in 2027, with a fully operational airport including passenger flights projected for summer 2028.
The transition from an airport to a gigafactory marks a significant change for Coventry, a city rich in aviation history. As the community grapples with the loss of a historical landmark, the focus shifts to the promising economic opportunities that the Greenpower Park initiative aims to bring to the region.
