A long-standing UK airport is preparing to close permanently, bringing an end to almost 90 years of aviation history. Coventry Airport is scheduled to cease operations on June 11, marking the final chapter for a site that has played an important role in the region since the 1930s.

In a symbolic farewell, members of the British pop group Take That were among the last passengers to use the airport. Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen posed for a photograph with airport staff after arriving on what was reported to be the final booked commercial flight. Airport representatives later thanked the band publicly for taking the time to meet employees and share their good wishes.

Although flight activity ended on May 9, the airport will officially close later this week. The decision follows confirmation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which received formal notification that Coventry Airport would permanently shut down on June 11, 2026.

The closure paves the way for a major redevelopment project, Greenpower Park. The ambitious scheme aims to transform the site into a center for the manufacturing and recycling of electric vehicle batteries. Located within the West Midlands Investment Zone, the project is expected to strengthen the region's industrial sector and attract significant investment.

According to projections from the West Midlands Combined Authority, the development could generate more than 30,000 jobs while drawing up to £5.5 billion in private funding.

Coventry Airport's story began in 1936 when it opened as Baginton Aerodrome. During the Second World War, it served as RAF Baginton, operating as a fighter airfield. In the decades that followed, the airport handled cargo operations, private aircraft, and a limited number of commercial services.

One of the site's most memorable moments came in 1982 when Pope John Paul II visited during his tour of the United Kingdom. The event attracted an estimated crowd of 350,000 people, making it one of the largest gatherings ever held at the airport.

The announcement of the closure has prompted mixed reactions from local residents, many of whom have reflected on the airport's historical significance and its contribution to the local economy. During the 1980s, Hards Travel operated holiday flights to destinations including Spain, France, and Italy from Coventry Airport, while Thomsonfly introduced jet passenger services in 2004.

Despite its long history, the airport has not hosted regular passenger flights since 2008. Its closure now signals the end of an aviation era and the beginning of a new industrial future for the site.