Coventry Airport, located down the M6 from Birmingham, will permanently cease all flights from this week. The airport will stop all flights on May 9 and formally close operations by June 11, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Official Notice of Closure
A spokesperson from the CAA confirmed: "Coventry Aerodrome has given formal notice to us of its plan to close the airport permanently with effect from 11 June 2026." The Rigby Group, which owns the airport, stated that this procedural submission enables the next phase of infrastructure work for the site to proceed, as first envisaged when local planning approval for Green Power Park was granted in 2022.
Redevelopment Plans
The airport site will be transformed into GreenPower Park, a joint venture between Coventry City Council and Rigby Group. The aim is to create a 'centre of excellence' for battery technology, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Plans include seven manufacturing facilities ranging from 69,000 square feet to 1.5 million square feet, totaling 4.8 million square feet, with a large battery manufacturing facility at its core.
Jim O'Boyle, the councillor responsible for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council, expressed optimism: "What we want to see are thousands of jobs created here, giving the area an economic lift." The project has the potential to create 6,000 new jobs and has secured a £23 million funding package from the West Midlands Combined Authority to kick-start this key Investment Zone.
Concerns and Next Steps
Despite the ambitious plans, concerns have been raised that no businesses have yet committed to operating the battery facility or other elements of the project. However, the city council revealed that four firms are 'exploring interest' in the site. The closure marks the end of an era for Coventry Airport, which has served the region for decades, but paves the way for a new chapter in clean energy and manufacturing.
