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Cheap Exeter Airport Parking » Airport Information>History History of Exeter AirportStrangely enough, Exeter Airport began service without any permanent buildings. It operated from tents until buildings could be constructed. The official opening of the airport was postponed until buildings were ready in July of 1938. The original investment of 35,000 pounds has become considerably more valuable over time. At its opening, it had a newly-built hangar, a single story terminal building and a grassy runway that was only 870 yards in length.
The purchase of the land was not without incident. When Exeter Corporation finally found a site which was suitable for the airport, the landowner did intend to sell his land. Exeter Corporation had to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order in order to buy the land. This was in 1932. It took over six years to get to the point of an official opening for the airport.
The first commercial charter flight was on Coronation Day of 1937, a year before the official opening date of the airport. This flight was a Leopold Moth from Air Dispatch. Another flight left Exeter the same day from Jersey Airways.
When war broke out, Exeter was closed to commercial travel in order to be of service to the country during wartime. Exeter became a RAF sector station for the duration of the war. A branch of Civil Air Guard was formed at Exeter.
Air traffic was sluggish after the war for a few years. In 1952 Jersey Airlines resumed operations at Exeter Airport. The airport became more important for a time in 1954 when the Railway Strike caused the need of new forms of transportation of goods. British European Airways had an airlift of newspapers at this time.
Another important company, Airways Union, had its base at Exeter for a few months. This company offered aeroplane repair, charter clubs and flying instruction as well as airport operation preparation.
In 1958 the Ministry of Defence acquired Exeter Airport from Exeter City Council for a short time. Then in 1959, the company was taken over by Exeter Airport Ltd. In 1964 the Ministry of Defence, which had acquired the airport in 1958, leased it to Air Holdings Ltd.
Another change in ownership of the airport came in 1972 when it was sold to a consortium of Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Torbay Council.
Improvements in 1981 lengthened the runway to 2083 meters, added a new visual control room to replace the one used during the war, a new instrument landing system, runway lightings and precision visual approach indicators. A year later improvements in passenger facilities plus a new fire station added to the value of Exeter Airport.
In 1991 Exeter and Devon Airport Ltd began the operations of Exeter Airport.
The 60th Diamond Anniversary was celebrated in 1998. The next year HRH the Princess Royal officially opened the new arrivals building.
The airport now sports a new 950,000 pound departure lounge which was opened by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in 2003. Many new improvements are in the planning stage to make this airport with humble beginnings one of the best in the country.
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