Plymouth City Airport

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Plymouth City Airport
IATA: PLH - ICAO: EGHD
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		Plymouth Airport
Serves		Plymouth
Elevation AMSL		476 ft (145 m)
Coordinates		50°25′22″N, 04°06′21″W
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
06/24	2,641	805	Asphalt
13/31	3,809	1,161	Asphalt

Plymouth City Airport (IATA: PLH, ICAO: EGHD) is an airport in Plymouth, Devon, in England. The airport opened on this site in 1925 and was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1931. The airport is located close to the city centre and has a modern terminal.

The airport is owned by Sutton Harbour Holdings Ltd., a Plymouth based company who also own Air Southwest, the only airline who now fly to Plymouth City.

Plymouth City Airport has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P687) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.

[edit] History

Plymouth Airport can trace its roots back to the early days of commercial flying. In fact the birth of the airport can be dated to 1923 when the first passengers joined a flight carrying mail to Croydon from a grass strip at Chelson Meadow. This successful flight, under the command of legendary air pioneer Alan Cobham inspired Plymouth City Council to look for a permanent site for the city’s airport.

In 1925 the now popular service, helping to speed transatlantic mail from the local port to the Capital, was moved to Roborough.

Plymouth Airport had found its home and was given the Royal seal of approval with an official opening in July 1931 by the Prince of Wales.

The aircraft operator’s names have changed over the decades. Who remembers Western Air Express, Olley’s Air Service or Railway Air Services?

Now in a new century air travel is no novelty but an essential part of West Country business life. The modern Plymouth City Airport provides business and private travellers with regular scheduled services to various parts of the UK including London Gatwick.