New runways at UK airports over the years

[WHBM]

With all the talk of new runways, it is instructive to think of just how few have been built over the years.

I can think of Liverpool in the 1960s, Edinburgh in the 1970s, London City in the 1980s and Manchester this decade. Anyone think of any more?

Bearing in mind the earlier two were effectively replacements rather than additions, it makes you realise just how little new build investment there has been. Compare this with roads over the period.

[egnxema]

East Midlands has had its runway both lengthened and widened in the past few years - It will be submitting a planning application for a further lengthening shortly. Along with all these moves the taxiways have been lengthened too.

[Wycombe]

WHBM,

No, but I can think of plenty that have been cut-up, grassed-over or built-upon :mad:

[rodan]

Sheffield 1990's?
Dundee? Not sure when.

I think the main reason hardly any new runways are built in the Uk is that there are so many ex-RAF bases with runways already in place. Many of our airports are old Bomber Command airfields from WW2, with another to (re)-open soon near Doncaster.

[Robing]

Well, I can point out that Lydd was a new airport in 1954.

That makes it our 50th next year!

[TopBunk]

Lydd - ah yes, from my recollections from my days as a PPL holder, one of the most difficult airfields to visually acquire. It's easier from 15,000ft in the descent towards BIG, but not much - often test my co-pilots to see if they can spot it. Much harder at 1,500ft in a PA28!