History of Exeter Airport

Exeter Airport originated as a grass airfield for club flying before being opened as a civilian airport on the 31st May 1937. At the time the airport did not have any purpose-built buildings and operated from a 'tented' structure. Exeter Airports first commercial flight was on Coronation Day in 1937, and began a strongly supported flight service to the Channel Islands. In 1938 the airport was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Air and was only a single grass runway whilst having very limited structures in place.

At the outbreak of the Second World War the airport was requisitioned by the RAF and and became a sector station. The airport however was the target of several raids by the Luftwaffe, and sustained damage to its buildings and facilities during the Battle of Britain. In the latter stages of the war the airport was used by the USAAF and several squadrons were based there until the end of hostilities in 1945.

After the war the airport was used by the RAF to base search and rescue aircraft at. The first jet aircraft in the RAF - the Gloster Meteor - was also based there for a short period. There was also a brief spell where the base was used for glider training.

In 1947 the airport was transferred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation with some limited use by the RAF taking place until the early 1950's, however this meant that the airport could once again begin flying civilian routes. In 1952 the first civilian airline to base its operations at Exeter Airport arrived, namely Jersey Airlines. This encouraged a string of other airlines to be attracted to at airport such as Mayflower Air Services, South West Aviation and Morton Air Services.

By 1971 the RAF decided that the airport was surplus to requirements and it was sold to Torbay Borough Council. During the next few years investment was made in the airport to improve the facilities and bring it in-line with modern demands, until it was sold in 1974 to Devon County Council. For the next decade the airport had improvements made to it including a new terminal building and runway extensions in the early 1980's. In 1985 Jersey Airways chose Exeter for its headquarters for all aspects of its business. This was a tremendous boost for Exeter Airport and strengthened its position as an important hub for the local area.

Exeter Airport was renamed in 2000 to Exeter International Airport and to celebrate Concorde landed at the airport for the first time with VIP's and guests in attendance. In the last few years Exeter International Airport has seen a rapid upturn in passenger usage requiring extensions to the current buildings to keep pace with the demand.