Norwich Airport

Civilian airport in Norwich, Norfolk, England

For the previous military use of this facility before 1963, see RAF Horsham St Faith. For other uses, see Norwich Airport (disambiguation).

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Norwich Airport

* IATA: NWI
* ICAO: EGSH

Summary
Airport type| Public
Owner| Regional & City Airports
Operator| Norwich Airport Limited
Serves| Norwich, Norfolk
Opened| 1968; 57 years ago (1968)
Focus city for| TUI Airways
Built| 1939; 86 years ago (1939) (as RAF Horsham St Faith)
Elevation AMSL| 36 m / 117 ft
Coordinates| 52°40′33″N 01°16′58″E﻿ / ﻿52.67583°N 1.28278°E﻿ / 52.67583; 1.28278
Website| www.norwichairport.co.uk
Map

EGSH

Location in Norfolk

Show map of Norfolk

EGSH

EGSH (England)

Show map of England

Runways
| Direction | Length  | Surface

|
|

m  | ft
09/27  | 1,841  | 6,040  | asphalt concrete
Statistics (2022)
| Passengers| 319,040

|

Passenger change 21-22| 151%
Aircraft movements| 15,291
Movements change 21-22| 24%

Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[2]

Norwich Airport (IATA: NWI, ICAO: EGSH) is an international airport in Norfolk, England, 2.5 miles (4.0 kilometres) north of the city of Norwich.[3] In 2023, Norwich Airport was the 25th busiest airport in the UK and busiest in East Anglia.[2]

Norwich Airport has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Public Use Aerodrome Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction. Along with a long history of flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol via KLM Cityhopper, it offers flights to various destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe. Besides the commercial flights, charter operators also operate from Norwich. Bristow Helicopters, DanCopter, and Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore fly crews to North Sea gas and oil rigs, and SaxonAir operates executive, private aircraft and helicopter charter flights.

The airport was established on the aerodrome site of RAF Horsham St Faith, a former Royal Air Force station in the early 1970s, under the ownership of the local authorities. It was later sold into private ownership.

## History

[edit]

The first Norwich Airport was created as a former First World War aerodrome on Mousehold Heath, on what is now the Heartsease housing estate. It opened in 1933; 92 years ago (1933), and was used by Boulton & Paul for aircraft test flying and other recreational activities. This aerodrome fell into disuse in the early part of the Second World War.

### RAF Horsham St Faith

[edit]

Main article: RAF Horsham St Faith

The current site, formerly known as Royal Air Force Station Horsham St Faith, or more commonly RAF Horsham St Faith, was first developed in 1939; 86 years ago (1939), and officially opened on 1 June 1940; 84 years ago (1940-06-01), as a Royal Air Force (RAF) bomber station. In September 1942, Horsham St. Faith was made available to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) for use by the Eighth Air Force. The USAAF designated the airfield as Station 123 (HF).

The airfield was subsequently transferred to RAF Fighter Command on 10 July 1945, when it was occupied by four Gloster Meteor Squadrons. RAF Horsham St. Faith was a front-line RAF station for many years, and its squadrons participated in many post-war exercises. The station was deactivated on 1 August 1963; 61 years ago (1963-08-01).

### Civil airport

[edit]

Control tower at Norwich International Airport

The Royal Air Force left Horsham on 24 March 1967. Over the following two years, the major part of the airfield and buildings were sold to Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, a small part being retained by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Norwich Airport Limited, under joint ownership of the county and city councils, developed the modern day Norwich International Airport, with the main terminal opening in 1988. In 1971, the airport began operations with charter flights,[3] with airline Air Anglia creating a base at the airfield, offering flights all over north-western Europe. Their route to Amsterdam is still operated today with KLM Cityhopper.

Most of the World War II buildings used by the USAAF and RAF remain, although converted for a variety of purposes. Some of the pre-war hangars are still being used for aircraft maintenance and one of them has been converted into an aviation academy.[citation needed] The original military control tower still exists, although the top has been restored and a new tower has been built adjacent to the present main runway. Other wartime buildings now form part of the Norwich Airport Industrial Estate. Adjacent to the airport terminal building opened by the Queen Mother, there is a memorial display relating to the USAAF, consisting of photographs, paintings, and a plaque commemorating the American use of the airfield.[4]

Since 1985, the City of Norwich Aviation Museum has been at the north of the airport where it displays 19 aircraft. It was founded in 1977 by employees of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, on the 17/35 runway.[5]

The former RAF single persons accommodation blocks situated towards Old Catton were until 1993 used by the University of East Anglia as accommodation for students; these have since been demolished and the site redeveloped as housing. The airmen's married quarters continued to be used for nearby RAF stations (RAF Coltishall and RAF Neatishead), but due to the closure and / or reduction in size of these stations, the housing has been sold to private buyers.[citation needed]

Whilst most runways and taxiways from the military airfield remain, only one runway is primarily used; to avoid takeoffs and landings over built-up areas: Runway 09/27, which was extended eastwards by the RAF in 1956 to 1,841 metres (6,040 feet) long.[6] The 04/22 runway is no longer used for takeoffs or landings, but is used for parking and taxiing of aircraft.[7]

In 1999, the new corporate identity was launched as Norwich International Airport, kept until April 2017.

In March 2004, the city and county councils sold 80.1% of Norwich Airport Limited to Omniport,[8] whilst retaining the remaining 19.9%. Omniport has also acquired 100% of Norwich Airport Travel Limited (the separate travel agency located within the airport passenger terminal). Following the sale to Omniport, the airport became one of the UK hubs for budget airline Flybe, and the number of flights and destinations served increased. In 2005, a £3.5 million terminal expansion programme began.

In 2009, during filming of the BBC show Top Gear, operations from the airport appeared to be disrupted when a caravan, adapted into an airship and flown by James May, drifted overhead the airport, infringing its controlled airspace. In reality, the event occurred after much pre-planning between the airport authorities and the BBC; and scenes showing the airship in the airfield boundary were actually filmed after it had lifted off from the airfield to satisfy the requirements of the film crew.[9]

A Loganair Saab 340 parked on the apron at Norwich. Loganair is one of the airport's largest scheduled operators, offering flights to Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Jersey.

In 2007, the airport introduced its Airport Development Fee (ADF). All passengers over 16 years old departing from the airport pay a fee of £10.[10]

In 2014, the airport was sold by the majority stakeholders of Omniport to the Rigby Group, who integrated the airport as part of Regional & City Airports in April 2017.[11]

Norwich International Airport announced in 2015 that four new routes were being considered for Department for Transport (DfT) funding.[citation needed] The routes being considered included: Dublin Airport (Flybe, double daily return weekdays, single return weekends), Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Flybe, daily return), Newcastle Airport (Links Air, double daily weekday return), and Exeter Airport (Flybe, daily return). Links Air proposed a start date of 1 September 2016, but the airline was put into liquidation.[12][13] In November 2015, it was announced that bids for routes to Newcastle and Exeter had been successful, with the inaugural flight to the latter on 24 March 2016, operated by Flybe.[14] Flybe also confirmed plans to operate summer sun and winter ski routes from Norwich Airport as part of a five-year deal with the Regional & City Airports (RCA) group. From May 2016, one of Flybe's Embraer ERJ-195 aircraft began operating multi-weekly flights from Norwich to Alicante and Málaga.[citation needed]

In 2016, an engine test facility opened on site.[15] The KLM UK Engineering Academy opened on 18 April 2017.[16]

On 6 July 2017, Managing Director Richard Pace announced a 30 year vision to treble passenger numbers at the airport. The plans include raising annual passenger numbers to 930,000 by 2030, and 1.4 million by 2045, forging new routes to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Dublin to boost the choice of worldwide destinations and constructing a 100 acre business park for both aviation and non-aviation companies; it was originally frozen by investors in 2015 waiting for the new Northern Distributor Road to be completed. Further plans include extending Runway 27/09 by 500 metres (1,600 feet), and building new taxiways to boost capacity and allow larger aircraft to operate to the airport. Another 10 year ambition was seeking permission to allow flights to fly until up to 01:30 (currently, the curfew is put in place at 23:00, with the airport placing charges for any arrivals after 21:30) for four nights a week. Pace says the new Broadland Northway (NDR) is "unlocking the potential for the site to generate growth for the region and the airport", and "the masterplan sets out the vision for the future development of Norwich Airport and its continued vital role in supporting our region’s economy".[17]

A refurbishment of the passenger terminal commenced in April 2018, to be completed in Spring 2019, increasing the number of retail shops and dining options for passengers.[18] The airport also invested in upgrade and refurbishment works to the executive lounge at the airport, completed in May 2018.[19]

Flybe announced in April 2019 that they would be ending jet flights from Norwich Airport as of winter 2019/20 due to them returning their Embraer 195 aircraft back to the lessors.[20]

In July 2019, Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council sold their remaining 19.9% stake in the airport to Regional and City Airports.[21][22]

### Developments since 2020

[edit]

In December 2023, Ryanair announced they would start operating from the airport for the very first time. 3 new routes were announced to Alicante, Faro and Malta for the summer 2024 season with flights starting on 1 April 2024. The airport hopes to further develop its partnership with Ryanair in the future.[23] In May 2024, just 6 weeks after launch of operations at Norwich, Ryanair confirmed that Alicante would continue a twice weekly for the Winter 24/25 season making it a year round destination at Norwich once again.[24] It was announced in March 2024 that TUI's leased-in partner Air Explore would operate many of the 2024 summer flights for TUI.[25] Between April and October 2024, 316000 passengers used the airport, a 23% increase on the previous year.[26]

## Facilities

[edit]

### Runway and apron

[edit]

The airport has one operational runway (designated 09/27), 1,841 metres (6,040 feet) in length. A smaller 1,285 metres (4,216 feet) runway (designated 04/22) was closed in 2006, and is now used as a taxiway (south of Runway 09/27) and parking area for decommissioned aircraft (north of Runway 09/27). The airport apron has nine parking stands for commercial aircraft.

### Tenants

[edit]

Operators based at Norwich are CHC Scotia, Bristow Helicopters,[27][28] NHV Helicopters,[29] SaxonAir, and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.[30]

## Airlines and destinations

[edit]

The following airlines operate regular scheduled services to and from Norwich:[31]

Airlines| Destinations

|

Blue Islands | Seasonal: Jersey[32]
KLM |  Amsterdam[33]
Loganair |  Aberdeen[34]
Ryanair |  Alicante[35]
Seasonal: Faro,[35] Malta[36]
TUI Airways |  Tenerife–South
Seasonal: Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion, Ibiza, Menorca, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Rhodes

## Accidents and incidents

[edit]

* On 12 December 1973, a Dassault Falcon 20 of Fred. Olsen Airtransport suffered a bird strike on takeoff from Runway 27. Both engines failed, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in a field. All three crew members were injured, but the passengers sustained no injuries. The aircraft was written off.[37]
* On 25 October 1974, a Cessna 310 dived into the ground while on final approach, killing the pilot. The Cessna's nose pitched down and the wings rolled over; the loss of control was caused by the uncommanded retraction of the starboard flap, caused by the failure of the drive mechanism.[38]

## Statistics

[edit]

2022 CAA statistical data for Norwich Airport revealed a total aircraft movement count of 15,291, giving an average rate of 42 movements per day. Total passenger numbers for 2022 were recorded as 319,040.[39]

Busiest routes to and from Norwich (2022)[39] Rank | Destination
airport | Total
passengers | Change
2021 / 22

|
|
|

1 | Amsterdam | 83,751 |  622.3%
2 | Aberdeen | 32,346 |  35.4%
3 | Palma de Mallorca | 26,323 |  697.9%
4 | Tenerife–South | 22,110 |  381.4%
5 | Dalaman | 14,050 |  new route
6 | Menorca | 13,880 |  new route
7 | Corfu | 8,577 |  233.1%
8 | Heraklion | 8,512 |  new route
9 | Rhodes | 8,315 |  new route
10 | Ibiza | 8,088 |  new route

## Transport

[edit]

### Bus

[edit]

Konectbus operates the 501 Norwich Park and Ride service, connecting the airport terminal with Norwich city centre, six days a week (excluding Sundays), up to every 15 minutes.[40]

Konectbus also operates route 35, "Canary Konect" which travels between The Nest and Carrow Park (for Carrow Road) via the Airport Terminal, Aylsham Road, Anglia Square, Tombland (For Norwich Cathedral and the City Centre), Prince of Wales Road and the railway station. This service runs up to every 60 mins, seven days a week.[41]

Konectbus routes 512 and 515, Sanders Coaches Routes 43, X40, 44A, and X44, and First Eastern Counties route 37 all operate from within a ten-minute walk of the terminal.

### Road

[edit]

Norwich Airport is situated adjacent to the A140 Cromer Road which runs from Ipswich, through Norwich and on to the seaside town of Cromer; this also provides easy road access to Norwich city centre. The entrance to the airport is around 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) from the city centre. The A1270 Broadland Northway (also known as the Norwich Northern Distributor Road or NDR) links the airport to the A47 to Lowestoft in the east and Fakenham in the west, as well as Norwich itself.

### Rail

[edit]

The nearest station is Norwich railway station, approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) away.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "National Air Traffic Services - AIS - Norwich".
2. ^ a b "CAA Airport Data". CAA.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority.
3. ^ a b "About Us – Norwich Airport". Norwich Airport. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
4. ^ "458th Bombardment Group at Horsham St Faith". American library. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
5. ^ Powell, Luke. "City's aviation museum says visitor boost behind new investment". EDP24. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
6. ^ "About Norwich Airport". Norwich Airport. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
7. ^ "PTSG lands contract at Norwich Airport". PTSG. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
8. ^ "Welcom". www.Omniport.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
9. ^ "Eastern Daily Press video". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 1 December 2009.[dead link]
10. ^ "Norwich Airport Development Fee". NorwichAirport.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 September 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
11. ^ Woods, Ben (11 June 2014). "Graphic: New owners of Norwich International Airport will not scrap controversial travel tax". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
12. ^ "Routes that have applied for start-up aid" (PDF). GOV.UK. Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
13. ^ "Norwich Airport - News". NorwichAirport.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015.
14. ^ "flyBe adds new UK routes in S16". AirlineRoute.net. 26 January 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
15. ^ "Norwich Airport new engine testing facility". Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
16. ^ Grimmer, Dan. "Fears eased over future of £12m International Aviation Academy". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
17. ^ Shields, Mark. "Revealed: Norwich Airport's 30-year vision to treble passenger numbers and forge worldwide links". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
18. ^ "Revealed: New food and drink offer for Norwich Airport". NorwichAirport.co.uk. Norwich Airport. 4 December 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
19. ^ "Norwich Airport completes Executive Lounge upgrade". NorwichAirport.co.uk. Norwich Airport. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
20. ^ Derrick, Maya. "Bust airline Flybe returns to the skies - but won't fly from Norwich". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
21. ^ Grimmer, Dan (15 July 2019). "Norfolk County Council agrees to sell its last shares in Norwich Airport". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
22. ^ Hannant, David (10 July 2019). "Norwich Airport moves closer to private ownership as city council agrees sale of shares". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
23. ^ "Ryanair's Low Fares Land at Norwich with Flights to Alicante, Faro & Malta from April 2024". 6 December 2023.
24. ^ "Ryanair confirms winter flights to Alicante from Norwich Airport". 15 May 2024.
25. ^ Redwood, Francis. "Tui to work with Air Explore at Norwich Airport this summer". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
26. ^ Issimdar, Mariam. "New Ryanair routes boost airport passenger numbers". BBC News. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
27. ^ "Offshore Helicopter Transportation - Helicopter Transport Services". BristowGroup.com. Bristow Group. Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
28. ^ "DanCopter celebrates successful first year of Shell contract". EbanMagazine.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
29. ^ "NHV Helicopters - operations - offshore". NHV.be. NHV Helicopters. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
30. ^ "East Anglian Air Ambulance". EastAnglianAirAmbulance.org.uk. East Anglian Air Ambulance. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
31. ^ "Norwich Airport - flights & holidays". NorwichAirport.co.uk. Norwich Airport. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
32. ^ "Blue Islands NS22 Jersey Network Additions". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
33. ^ "KLM Nov/Dec 2022 European Frequency Variations – 23OCT22". Aeroroutes.
34. ^ "Aberdeen". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 25 (5). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 10–12\. November 2023. ISSN 1466-8718.
35. ^ a b "Ryanair NS24 Network Additions Summary – 14JUL24".
36. ^ "Ryanair will fly to THREE new Mediterranean destinations from Norwich Airport". 5 December 2023.
37. ^ Avions Marcel Dassault Fan Jet Falcon LN-FOE report on the accident near Norwich Airport, Norfolk on 12 December 1974 (PDF). AAIB.gov.uk (Report). London, England: Accidents Investigation Branch. 1974. p. 1\. ISBN 0-11-511417-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
38. ^ "G-APTK accident report" (PDF). AAIB.gov.uk. Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
39. ^ a b "Data and analysis". CAA.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority.
40. ^ "Route 501: Norwich Park & Ride". KonectBus.co.uk. KonectBus. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
41. ^ "Route 35: Konectbus". KonectBus.co.uk. KonectBus. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Freeman, Roger A. (1978). Airfields of the Eighth: Then and Now. After the Battle. Battle of Britain Prints International Limited. ISBN 0-900913-09-6.
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Norwich Airport at Wikimedia Commons

* Official website

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