Norwich airport History

The current site of Norwich Airport was originally named RAF Horsham St. Faith and was used as a bomber base during the Second World War. The airfield - in addition to bombers - had a squadron of Spitfires based there as well as Boulton Paul Defiants. It was from this airfield in 1941 that an RAF aircraft famously dropped a set of false legs over St. Omer-Longeunesse for Douglas Bader, who had been taken prisoner there after bailing out of his aircraft.

In late 1942 the USAF were given usage of the airfield and several squadrons were based there flying a variety of aircraft until the end of the Second World War. After the war many squadrons of jet and piston powered aircraft served there and the airfield remained a front line RAF station until 1963 when it was de-activated.

The RAF completely withdrew in 1967 and the airfield was sold to Norfolk County Council, this began the development of the airport in the form we see it today. Several of the original military buildings still remain and are used for a variety of purposes from storage to aircraft maintenance. Several newer structures have been erected over the years, and the airport now has a good blend of old and new. In 2004 80.1% of the airport was sold to Omniport which has announced a £3.5m terminal expansion programme.