| 1932 | Exeter Corporation tried to find a suitable site for the airport. The one they found was not for sale so a compulsory purchase order was needed to force the landowner to sell.
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| 1937 | Opening date was under tents since the buildings were not yet built. The first charter flight into Exeter Airport was on Coronation Day of 1937 when a Leopold Moth from Air Dispatch landed at Exeter. Jersey Airways also had a flight this same day.
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| 1938 | The airport was officially licensed for public use. This was after the first stage of the terminal was ready. Several small airlines were using the airport by this time for short domestic service.
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| 1939 | A branch of Civil Air Guard was formed at Exeter due to the war. Civil services had to cease for a while during the war. Exeter became a RAF sector station during the war.
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| 1947 | Airline activities were sluggish for a time after the war.
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| 1952 | Jersey Airlines resumed operations.
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| 1954 | During the Railway Strike, there was an airlift of newspapers by British European Airways.
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| 1956 | Airways Union had a main base at Exeter for a few months. Their business was airplane repair, airport operation, charter clubs and flying schools.
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| 1958 | The Ministry of Defence acquired Exeter Airport from Exeter City Council.
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| <1959 | The company was taken over by Exeter Airport Ltd.
/td> |
| 1964 | The Ministry of Defence which had acquired the airport in 1958 leased Exeter Airport to Air Holdings Ltd.
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| 1972 | The airport was sold to a consortium of Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Torbay Council.
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| 1974 | After a reorganisation of the local government, the airport was taken over by a new Devon County Council.
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| 1981 | The main runway was lengthened to 2083 metres. A new visual control room also was built to replace the one used during wartime. A new instrument landing system, runway lighting systems and precision visual approach indicators were installed.
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| 1982 | There were improvements made in passenger facilities plus the fabrication of a new fire station.
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| 1991 | Exeter and Devon Airport Ltd began operating Exeter Airport.
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| 1998 | Exeter Airport celebrated its 60th Diamond Anniversary.
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| 1999 | Exeter’s new arrivals building was opened by HRH the Princess Royal. This building is for both domestic and international travellers.
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| 2003 | A new 950,000 pound departure lounge was officially opened by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
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