Norwich Airport History

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Norwich Airport History


The original Norwich Airport site, opened in 1933, was located in Mousehold before being moved to its current location in Horsham St Faith in 1967. During the war the site was used as an RAF base known as the Royal Air Force Station Horsham St Faith, and utilised by United States Army Air Forces. Since its adaptation as a commercial airport, Norwich Airport has been officially renamed Norwich International Airport and is owned in majority by Omniport PLC.

Norwich Airport Timeline

  • 1933 – Norwich Airport official opening at site in Mousehold
  • 1967 – Norwich Airport bought by Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council and site is moved to Horsham St Faith
  • 1970 – Approval granted by the Customs Authority for export and import of freight
  • 1971 – First holiday charter flights begin to run from Norwich Airport
  • 1987 – Norwich Airport becomes a limited company meaning it can make a major investment into extensions on the terminal building
  • 1988 – Memorial display unveiled commemorating the airport’s wartime use
  • 1999 – Norwich is officially renamed Norwich International Airport with a new corporate identity launched
  • 2004 – Omniport PLC become majority shareholders of Norwich International Airport
  • 2008 – Almost 560,000 passengers a year pass through Norwich Airport
  • 2009 – Approximately 420,000 passengers pass through the airport as passengers numbers decline
  • 2010 - £15 million spent on development at Norwich Airport since 2004

Airlines at Norwich Airport

Eight airlines operate from Norwich Airport, with flights to over 20 national and international destinations. Flybe is the airport’s major internal airline carrier, running flights to a number of UK destinations including Edinburgh, Manchester and Exeter. Regular flights to Aberdeen also operate from Norwich Airport provided by bmi regional and Eastern Airways. Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways provide flights to international holiday destinations such as Dalaman, Mallorca and Tenerife. The most popular destination from Norwich Airport in 2009 was Amsterdam.

History at Norwich Airport

The Norwich Airport site has long heritage, with much activity during wartime as an RAF base before being turned into the current commercial passenger airport. A memorial display celebrating this heritage can be found adjacent to the terminal building. With future development plans underway, Norwich Airport continues to provide a range of flights to the UK and the rest of the world. Airparks offers a superb range of Norwich Airport Parking options, which can be booked online in advance at discounted rates.