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MIST

MIST
MAX TEMP 1°C (34°F)
MIN TEMP -1°C (30°F)

Wind Direction: ESE
Wind Speed: 2mph
Visibility: poor
Sunrise: 07:29GMT
Sunset: 16:58GMT

WHITE CLOUD

WHITE CLOUD
MAX TEMP 1°C (34°F)
MIN TEMP -4°C (25°F)

Wind Direction: NNE
Wind Speed: 5mph
Visibility: moderate
Sunrise: 07:27GMT
Sunset: 17:00GMT

WHITE CLOUD

WHITE CLOUD
MAX TEMP 0°C (32°F)
MIN TEMP -2°C (28°F)

Wind Direction: ENE
Wind Speed: 11mph
Visibility: very good
Sunrise: 07:25GMT
Sunset: 17:02GMT

History/RAF Chapel

Over the past 40 years, this famous Airport has steadily changed from being a busy RAF base into a commercial regional airport. The historic ties are remembered annually at the international Biggin Hill Air Show.

RAF Chapel

Below is a summary of the history since it opened in 1917 as a communications base is as follows:-

1920s
  
Commenced flying.
1930s
  Existing north-east south-west runway opened. 
1940s
  Battle of Britain air station with Spitfires and Hurricanes. 
1950s
  Front line RAF Station with squadrons of jet fighters.
1960s 
  Following closure of Croydon Airport, started as a civil airport with HM Immigration and Customs Port of Entry, with light aircraft training and some commercial passenger and cargo flights. 

1970s

  Acquired by Bromley Council from the RAF for £480,000 in total (£3,342,000 at today's prices) with a commitment to remain open as an airport. Light aircraft, flying training, commercial passenger and cargo flights increased.
1980s
   Operated by the Council as a civil airport with up to 200,000 light aircraft flights per annum. Commercial, scheduled and/or charter passenger flights permitted. 
1988
  The Council introduced Airports UK, an airport management company, in a bid to increase revenues, but under a legal clause in their agreement, the Council banned them from permitting scheduled passenger flights altogether. Charter flights were still permitted and members of the public still had the freedom to buy tickets to fly on them. 
1990s
  With financial pressure to invest more and more ratepayers' money to meet repairs and operating costs, the Council reversed its decision on scheduled flights in 1991 and actively supported new passenger services. The first regular flights on which the public could buy tickets were to Carlisle and Le Touquet, with services to Manchester, Paris and many other cities planned.
1994
   Unfortunately the measures to increase regular public transport flights did not resolve the financial difficulties of the Airport quickly. 

 

The Council was then prevented by Government policy from spending more ratepayers' money on repairs, equipment and running costs, so it sold the Airport business ‘as a going concern' to London Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL). The Airfield was leased for 125 years, on condition that all future costs and repairs would be borne by BHAL, with rent and a share of the profits going to the Council each year.

Visit Shoreham Aircraft Museum website »

Latest News

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Happenings at Biggin Hill

Hotel In 2009, Biggin Hill Airport gained permission for a 76 bed high quality hotel on the airport.

Biggin Hill News: The latest edition of the Biggin Hill Newsletter is available to download here »


Why not base your aircraft at Biggin Hill?

Hangarage

For more information click here
or call Robert Walters
on 01959 578 530


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