View source for London Biggin Hill Airport

{{short description|Airport in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2025}}
<!-- WHEN ADDING A NEW ROUTE, OR ADDING AN END DATE FOR A ROUTE PLEASE ADD A REFERENCE, ALSO ADD THE ROUTE AND LINK ON THE CORRESPONDING AIRPORTS ARTICLE AND THE AIRLINES ARTICLE IF IT IS A NEW DESTINATION, ANYTHING WHICH IS NOT REFERENCED WILL BE REMOVED.  -->
{{Infobox airport
| name                = London Biggin Hill Airport
| nativename          = 
| nativename-a        = 
| nativename-r        = 
| image               = BigginHillAirport.svg
| image-width         = 250
| caption             = 
| image2              = London-Biggin Hill-Airport-2011.jpg
| image2-width        = 250
| IATA                = BQH
| ICAO                = EGKB
| type                = Public
| owner               = London Borough of Bromley  
| operator = Biggin Hill Airport Limited           
| city-served         = 
| location            = [[Biggin Hill]], London, England
| elevation-f         = 599
| elevation-m         = 183
| coordinates         = {{coord|51|19|51|N|000|01|57|E|type:airport_region:GB-BRY|display=inline,title}}
| website             = {{Official URL}}
| pushpin_map         = Greater London#England#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Greater London
| pushpin_label       = EGKB
| r1-number           = 03/21
| r1-length-f         = 5,971
| r1-length-m         = 1,820
| r1-surface          = [[Asphalt concrete|Tarmac]]
| metric-rwy          = Y
| stat1-header        = Movements
| stat1-data          = 43,343
| stat-year           = 2018
| footnotes           = Sources: UK [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]] at [[National Air Traffic Services|NATS]]<ref name="aip">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D29%26Itemid%3D78.html |title=Biggin Hill - EGKB |access-date=9 December 2008 |archive-date=16 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216015149/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=29&Itemid=78.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />Statistics from the [[UK Civil Aviation Authority]]<ref name="stats">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/|title=Data and analysis &#124; UK Civil Aviation Authority|website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref>
| r2-number           = 
| r2-length-f         = 
| r2-length-m         = 
| r2-surface          = 
}}

'''London Biggin Hill Airport''' {{Airport codes|BQH|EGKB}} is an operational [[general aviation]] and minor [[Commercial aviation|commercial]] [[airport]] serving [[Biggin Hill]] in the [[London Borough of Bromley]], located {{convert|12|NM|abbr=on|lk=in}} south-southeast of [[Central London]]. It specialises in [[general aviation]], handling a spectrum of traffic from [[private aviation]] to large [[business jet]]s. It currently has no scheduled [[airline]] service,<ref name="bhhome">{{cite web | url = http://www.bigginhillairport.com/ | title = London Biggin Hill Airport - Welcome | publisher = Regional Airports Ltd. | access-date = 4 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/375/srg_asd_ordinarylicences.pdf |title=Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628053955/http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/375/srg_asd_ordinarylicences.pdf |archive-date=28 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as flights using the airport are not regularly permitted to carry fare-paying passengers.

The airport was formerly a [[Royal Air Force]] station '''RAF Biggin Hill''', and a small enclave on the airport still retains that designation. Biggin Hill is best known for its role during the [[Battle of Britain]] in the [[Second World War]], when it served as one of the principal [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] bases protecting London and [[South East England]] from attack by [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[Luftwaffe]] [[bomber]]s. Over the course of the war, fighters based at Biggin Hill claimed 1,400 enemy aircraft, at the cost of the lives of 453 Biggin Hill based aircrew.<ref name="bhbattle">{{cite web |url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/battle.htm |access-date=4 January 2007 |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Battle of Britain |publisher=Regional Airports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525045825/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/battle.htm |archive-date=25 May 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ehbh">{{cite web |date=10 July 2006 |url=http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=213090 |title=Biggin hill - Battle of Britain RAF Mess Hall at Risk |publisher=English Heritage |access-date=4 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626164213/http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=213090 |archive-date=26 June 2007 }}</ref>

The airport has a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]] Ordinary Licence (Number P804) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licencee (Regional Airports Limited).

== History==
===Military airfield===
[[File:Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. CH18603.jpg|thumb|An armourer adjusting machine guns on a Spitfire at Biggin Hill during the Second World War]]

====First World War ====
The airfield was originally opened by the [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC) during the [[First World War]]. Koonowla House was requisitioned by the [[War Office]] in 1916 for the RFC to conduct [[radio|wireless]] experiments. Then on 13 February 1917 the RFC transferred there (from their long-time HQ at [[RAF Joyce Green]], at [[Long Reach, Kent|Long Reach]] near [[Dartford]]), and established it as part of the London Air Defence Area, using the adjacent Cudham Lodge estate, which contained a huge undivided field ideal for aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biggin Hill in 1914 and onwards|url=http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/case-studies/biggin-hill/5|website=Ideal Homes: A history of south-east London suburbs|access-date=3 February 2017|archive-date=4 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204003959/http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/case-studies/biggin-hill/5|url-status=dead}}</ref> The same year [[James Stanhope, 7th Earl Stanhope|Lord Stanhope's]] Aperfield Court and grounds, some {{convert|2|mi|km}} from the station, were requisitioned for use as a radio transmitter and fighter ground control station.<ref name=hibbert>{{cite book |last1=Hibbert |first1=Christopher |last2=Weinreb |first2=Ben |last3=Keay |first3=Julia |last4=Keay |first4=John |title=The London Encyclopaedia |date=2008 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-1-4050-4924-5 |page=68 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wN_H-__MBpYC |language=en}}</ref>  The station was responsible for defending the capital against attacks by [[Zeppelin]]s and [[Gotha bomber]]s. To this end, 141 Squadron of the RFC was based at Biggin Hill and equipped with [[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Bristol Fighters]].<ref name=bhphist>{{cite web | url = http://www.bigginhill.co.uk/rafstation.htm | title = R.A.F. Station Biggin Hill | publisher = Biggin Hill Productions | access-date = 6 January 2007}}</ref>

Shortly after the war, on 7 January 1919, around 700 RAF technical staff mutinied.<ref>{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Lawrence |title=Mutiny in the British and Commonwealth Forces, 1797-1956 |date=1987 |publisher=Buchan & Enright |isbn=978-0-907675-70-9 |page=105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ZIsAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>  Their grievances included poor food and living conditions, with one complaint being that they only had eight washbasins between them.<ref name=aircraft>{{cite book |title=Aircraft Volumes 36-37|date=1957 |publisher=Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TOcMAQAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kinvig |first1=Clifford |title=Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia, 1918-1920 |date=2007 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-1-84725-021-6 |page=87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHCtAwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>  The mutiny was ended by the intervention of sympathetic officers.<ref name=aircraft/>

Apperfield Court was demolished in 1920 and the aerodrome extended onto its grounds.<ref name=hibbert/>  Between the wars, the airfield was used by a number of experimental units, working on instrument design, ground-based anti-aircraft defences, and night flying. The base was closed between 1929 and 1932, during which period reconstruction work took place including the building of new hangars.<ref name="bhphist"/>

====Second World War====
During the Second World War the airfield was one of the commanding bases for [[No. 11 Group RAF]], [[RAF Fighter Command]] during the [[Battle of Britain]], with both [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s and [[Hawker Hurricane]]s from a variety of squadrons being based there. The squadrons based at Biggin Hill claimed to have destroyed 1,400 enemy aircraft, at the cost of the lives of 453 Biggin Hill-based aircrew. Due to its importance to the defence of London, the airfield itself became a target. Between August 1940 and January 1941, the airfield was attacked twelve times, the worst of which wrecked workshops, stores, barracks, [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force|WAAF]] quarters and a hangar, killing 39 people on the ground.<ref name="ehbh"/><ref name="bhphist"/>

During the war Biggin Hill was also used by [[RAF Balloon Command]]<!-- [[Air Defence of Great Britain]]  ADGB is the home defence rump of Fighter Command after restructuring during the war -->.{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=50}}

====Post war ====
After the war, Biggin Hill was briefly used by [[RAF Transport Command]], and then became a base for both regular and reserve fighter squadrons, flying Spitfires, [[Gloster Meteor|Meteors]] and [[Hawker Hunter|Hunters]]. A fatal incident involving the loss of three Meteors on 18 June 1951 (see incidents and accidents below) caused the station's continued use by the military to be called into question. However, in 1958 Biggin Hill ceased to be an operational RAF station, becoming the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre for the RAF. Due to the impending closure of the nearby [[Croydon Airport|original London Airport at Croydon]], from 1956 much of the civilian light aviation from Croydon relocated to Biggin Hill and it became a joint civilian and military airport. Croydon closed completely in 1959, at which time Biggin Hill became a mainly civilian airport with only occasional military flying taking place.<ref name="bhphist"/>

====RAF units at Biggin Hill====
The following units were at Biggin Hill at some time:<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/biggin-hill/ |title=Biggin Hill |publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|access-date=29 April 2020}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
* [[No. 1 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 19 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 23 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 32 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 37 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 39 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 41 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 56 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 64 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 66 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 72 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 74 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 78 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 79 Squadron RAF|No. 79 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 91 Squadron RAF|No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 92 Squadron RAF|No. 92 (East India) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 124 Squadron RAF|No. 124 (Baroda) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 133 Squadron RAF|No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 154 Squadron RAF|No. 154 (Motor Industries) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 213 Squadron RAF|No. 213 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 222 Squadron RAF|No. 222 (Natal) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 229 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 242 Squadron RAF|No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 264 Squadron RAF|No. 264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 287 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 340 Squadron RAF|No. 340 (GC IV/2 Île-de-France) Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 341 Squadron RAF|No. 341 (GC III/2 'Alsace') Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 345 Squadron RAF|No. 345 (GC II/2 'Berry') Squadron RAF]]
* [[401 Tactical Fighter Squadron|No. 401 Squadron RCAF]]
* [[No. 411 Squadron RCAF]]
* [[412 Transport Squadron|No. 412 Squadron RCAF]]
* [[436 Transport Squadron|No. 436 Squadron RCAF]]
* [[No. 485 Squadron RNZAF]]
* [[No. 600 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 600 (City of London) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 601 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 601 (County of London) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 602 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 609 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 610 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 611 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AAF]]
* [[No. 615 Squadron RAuxAF|No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron AAF]]
* [[802 Naval Air Squadron]]
* [[807 Naval Air Squadron]]
* [[819 Naval Air Squadron]]
* No. 945/947 (Balloon) Squadron
* No. 951 (Balloon) Squadron
* No. 953 (Balloon) Squadron
* No. 958 (Balloon) Squadron
}}
;Units:
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF]] (1 AACU) (February – May 1937 &  September 1937 – April 1938){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=69}}
* 'C' Flight of 1 AACU (March – May 1937){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=69}}
* 'D' Flight of 1 AACU (September 1937 – April 1938){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=69}}
* 'H' Flight of 1 AACU (April – September 1939){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=69}}
* [[No. 1 Air Experience Flight RAF]] (September 1958 – February 1959){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=53}}
* No. 1 Fighter Command Servicing Unit
* No. 2 Fighter Command Servicing Unit
* [[No. 5 Wing RAF|No. 5 (Home Defence) Wing RAF]] (April 1923 - April 1924){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=310}}
* No. 6 Radio Maintenance Unit (July - August 1940){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=253}}
* No. 6 Radio Servicing Section (September 1940 - February 1941){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=255}}
* No. 8 Fighter Command Servicing Unit
* [[No. 61 Group Communication Flight RAF]] (March 1958 - January 1959){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=183}}
* [[No. 126 Airfield Headquarters RAF]] (October 1943 - April 1944){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=54}}
* [[No. 141 Wing RAF|No. 141 (Fighter) Wing RAF]] (October - November 1944){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=324}}
* [[No. 162 Gliding School RAF]] (June 1949 - August 1950){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=166}}
* No. 403 Repair & Salvage Unit (October - September 1943){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=261}} 
* No. 405 Repair & Salvage Unit (November 1943 - January 1944){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=261}}
* No. 410 Repair & Salvage Unit (January - April 1944){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=261}}
* [[No. 421 (Reconnaissance) Flight RAF]] (November 1940){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=131}}
* [[No. 2705 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2709 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2726 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2745 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2767 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2803 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2806 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2824 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2847 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[List of RAF Regiment units#Anti-Aircraft Flights|No. 4045 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment]]
* [[Aircrew Selection Centre RAF]] (April 1962){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=52}}
* [[Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight RAF]] (October 1931 - April 1936){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=68}} became [[Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF]] (April 1936 - February 1937){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=69}}
* [[Ground Officers Selection Centre RAF]] (April 1962){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=52}}
* [[Historic Aircraft Flight RAF]] (July 1957 - February 1958){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=192}} became [[Battle of Britain Flight RAF]] (February 1958){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=81}}
* [[Instrument Design Establishment RAF]] (November 1919 - March 1920) became [[Instrument Design Establishment (Home) RAF]] (March 1920 - April 1922){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=194}}
* [[London University Air Squadron]] (October 1946 - December 1947){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=307}}
* Detachment from [[Metropolitan Sector HQ RAF]] (1946 - 47){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=223}}
* Navigation Flight RAF (March - April 1920){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=227}}
* [[Night Flying Flight RAF]] (July 1923 - October 1931){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=228}}
* [[Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre]] (April 1962 - September 1992){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=229}}
* South Eastern Sector HQ RAF (November 1945 - June 1946){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=273}}
* [[University of London Air Squadron]] (April 1957 - February 1959){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=307}}
* [[Wireless Telephony School RAF]] (April 1918){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=339}}
* [[Wireless Testing Park RAF]] (January - December 1917) became [[Wireless Experimental Establishment RAF]] (December 1917 - April 1918) became [[W/T Establishment RAF]] (April 1918 - November 1919){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=339}}
}}

===Civilian airport===
Towards the end of 1963, the [[Orpington Urban District]] Council (within whose boundaries the airfield lay) was approached by the [[Board of Trade]] as to whether the Council would purchase (effectively from the RAF) Biggin Hill airfield. In 1964, on formation of the [[London Borough of Bromley]], which absorbed Orpington, the offer to purchase was open to the new borough. Protracted negotiations were held with the Board of Trade and later the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]]. At a special meeting on 15 June 1972 the Council decided to purchase the airport by a recorded vote of 41 to 9. The purchase was eventually completed in 1974.
RAF Biggin Hill was awarded the [[Freedom of the Borough]] of Bromley on 5 October 1980.

In May 1992 the [[Department for Transport|Department of Transport]] issued a direction to the Council under s.13 of the [[Airports Act 1986]]. The effect of this direction, which affected airports generating turnover of £1 million or more (Biggin Hill just scraped into this limit), was to require the Council to set up a new company for the purpose of operating the airport as an independent commercial undertaking. To comply with the direction would have required the transfer of all the assets and liabilities to the company with a consequential loss of council control over airport activities. In the circumstances, the council decided that the granting of a 125-year [[lease]] would enable more control to be retained than an outright disposal of the freehold or by a transfer to a local authority company with an uncertain future. In May 1994, the airport was leased to Biggin Hill Airport Limited ("BHAL"), now a subsidiary of Regional Airports Limited,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.regionalairportslimited.com/|title=RAL|website=RAL}}</ref> for 125 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bromley.gov.uk/UDP/written/cpt12.htm|title=London Borough of Bromley &#124; Written Statement 12. BIGGIN HILL AIRPORT AND ENVIRONS|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803162540/https://www.bromley.gov.uk/UDP/written/cpt12.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre moved to [[RAF Cranwell]] in 1992, marking the end of active RAF involvement.<ref name="bhphist"/>

In 2001, the London Borough of Bromley as [[freehold (law)|freeholder]] of the airport succeeded in an action in the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]]. The court ruling prohibits the airport operators from allowing tickets to be sold for flights into and out of the airport, thus preventing its use for scheduled or holiday [[charter flight]]s, but allowing business aviation and corporate shuttles.<ref name=bhpass>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/passenger_flights.htm |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Passenger Flights |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070728231650/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/passenger_flights.htm |archive-date=28 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In May 2017 runway 29/11 was permanently withdrawn from use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/pamslight/pdf/4e415453/EG/C/EN/Charts/AD/EG_AD_2_EGKB_2-1_en|title=Eurocontrol Biggin Hill Airport Chart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825155328/http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/pamslight/pdf/4e415453/EG/C/EN/Charts/AD/EG_AD_2_EGKB_2%2D1_en|archive-date=25 August 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>

== Description ==
[[File:London Biggin Hill Airport 1.jpg|thumb|Airport buildings]]
[[File:RAF church and mock-up fighter plane at Biggin Hill - geograph.org.uk - 1592245.jpg|thumb|St George's Chapel of Remembrance, with a replica Spitfire outside]]
[[File:London Biggin Hill Airport 2.jpg|thumb|Replicas of Hurricane and a Spitfire stand watch over the entrance to the chapel of the former RAF station.]]
[[File:St George’s Chapel of Remembrance, Biggin Hill, interior.JPG|thumb|Interior of St George's Chapel of Remembrance]]
The airport is located on a hilltop, just to the east of the [[Bromley]] to [[Westerham]] road ([[A233 road|A233]]) and about {{convert|1|mi|km}} to the north of the town of [[Biggin Hill]] in the [[London Borough of Bromley]]. It is in a rural area to the south-east of Greater London, outside of the [[Greater London Built-up Area]]. The small village of [[Leaves Green]] lies adjacent to the north-western perimeter of the airport.<ref name="osexp1">Ordnance Survey (2007). ''OS Explorer Map 147 – Sevenoaks & Tonbridge''. {{ISBN|978-0-319-23927-8}}.</ref>

The airport has one runway (03/21, so close to northeast by north/southwest by west) 1,820 metres in length, making it usable by aircraft up to [[Boeing 737]]/[[Airbus A320]] size, and it has an [[Instrument Landing System]] for runway 21 (when runway 03 is in use, a visual 'circle to land' procedure is required). Radar [[air traffic control]] (ATC) services are provided by Thames Radar at the [[London Terminal Control Centre]], while procedural approach and [[visual flight rules|VFR]] ATC services are provided by the airport itself.<ref name=bhplan>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/32KB0201_Plan%5B1%5D.pdf |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Airport Plan |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=6 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822121415/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/32KB0201_Plan%5B1%5D.pdf |archive-date=22 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=bhmax>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/max_aircraft_size.htm |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Maximum Aircraft Size |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728232031/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/max_aircraft_size.htm |archive-date=28 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/services_handling_maintenance.htm |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Aircraft Services, Handling and Maintenance |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822120946/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/services_handling_maintenance.htm |archive-date=22 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite the ban on scheduled services, Biggin Hill is used by a large number of business flights by [[business jet]]s and similar sized aircraft. The airport has a passenger terminal, located on the A233 road just south of Leaves Green, which provides facilities for such flights, including departure lounges, a licensed café bar, and [[customs]] and [[immigration]] facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/executive.htm |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - Executive Handling |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=7 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603113838/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/executive.htm |archive-date=3 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The current RAF Biggin Hill is a small enclave on the western boundary of the airport to the south of the passenger terminal, and contains the headquarters of 2427 Squadron of the [[Air Training Corps]]. Next to this is ''St George's Chapel of Remembrance''. This brick built chapel was erected in 1951, to replace an earlier chapel destroyed by fire, and now serves as a memorial to all the aircrew who died flying from the Biggin Hill Sector. It is surrounded by a garden of remembrance and has [[gate guardian]]s in the form of full-sized replicas of a Hurricane and a Spitfire, representing the aircraft that flew from the former airfield during the Battle of Britain. The replicas replaced genuine aircraft that formerly served as the guardians.<ref name="bhphist"/><ref name=atc2427>{{cite web | url = http://www.bigginaircadets.co.uk// | title = 2427 (Biggin Hill) Squadron, Air Training Corps | publisher = 2427 (Biggin Hill) Squadron, Air Training Corps | access-date = 16 December 2006}}</ref><ref name=bhchapel>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/RAF_chapel.htm |title=London Biggin Hill Airport - RAF Chapel |publisher=Regional Airports Ltd. |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703060658/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/pages/RAF_chapel.htm |archive-date=3 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding|Air Marshal Hugh Dowding]] laid the foundation stone. The chapel was taken out of the RAF's control in 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafchapelbigginhill.com/uploads/9/0/8/4/908434/chronicle_chapel0001.pdf|title=Say A Prayer for St George's Chapel|publisher=RAF Chapel Biggin Hill|access-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> and is now owned by Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust.

Besides the passenger terminal and RAF enclave, other former RAF buildings still exist in the 'North Camp' to the west of the main runway, including the Sergeant's Mess of 1932, the Airmen's Institute of circa 1926, the former Station Headquarters building of 1931 and several [[barrack]] blocks. The buildings, which are Grade II [[listed building|listed]], are in a redbrick [[Georgian architecture|neo-Georgian]] style typical of military airfields of the interwar period. They have been vacant since the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre closed in 1992, and were added to [[English Heritage]]'s list of buildings at risk in 2006.<ref name="ehbh"/>

The 'South Camp', situated to the south of runway 11/29, was transferred to civil usage in the 1950s and now consists of a utilitarian collection of hangars and sheds, together with a modern office park. It now contains many aviation related businesses, flying clubs and flying schools. Many private light aircraft are based on the airport.

From 1963, Biggin Hill airport was the venue of the [[Biggin Hill International Air Fair]], an annual airshow that usually took place towards the end of June. On 5 July 2010 Biggin Hill Airport Ltd cancelled the 25-year contract with Air Displays International (the Air Fair organisers) without warning, a few weeks after the 2010 event, during which the Air Fair had attracted record breaking crowds.

Construction on a new state-of-the-art hangar alongside the Passenger Terminal commenced in October 2010. Excavations of the site uncovered underground war-time fuel tanks and associated pump rooms; these were re-covered during the same building works. Construction was planned to finish late in Spring 2011.

Biggin Hill is the location of one of the four "[[Holding (aviation)|stacks]]" for aircraft landing at [[Heathrow Airport]], and is used by aircraft approaching from the south east. It uses a [[VHF omnidirectional range|VOR]] navigational beacon with the identifier "BIG". Noise from aircraft using this stack is often wrongly attributed to aircraft using Biggin Hill Airport.

Three model aircraft clubs operate within a three-mile radius of Biggin Hill Airport. One site operates within its Aerodrome Traffic Zone ({{convert|2.5|NM|abbr=on}} radius)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/UserFiles/100520.ccminutes.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708000343/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/UserFiles/100520.ccminutes.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Airport Consultative Committee|archivedate=8 July 2011}}</ref>

For 60 years (to 2016) an [[Air Scout#United Kingdom|Air Scout]] centre has been located on the grounds of the airport. The centre allowed young people aged between 7 and 18 to take part in aviation activities with their scout groups. In 2016, Biggin Hill Airport Limited, which has historically claimed to support young people coming into aviation, rescinded its sub-lease to the Scout Aviation Centre in order to make way for new car parking spaces, giving them until 30 September 2016 to vacate their home of some 60 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/14699772.aviation-scout-group-to-leave-biggin-hill-airport-after-60-years/|title=Aviation Scout group to leave Biggin Hill Airport after 60 years|website=News Shopper|date=23 August 2016 }}</ref>

The airfield still retains its history by the continued restoration projects running at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. IntotheBlue experience days, a UK company within the airfield allows members of the public to fly alongside a Mk9 Spitfire in a 1950s Harvard. Projects like this hold a timely reminder to how important the airport was during the Second World War.

== Airlines and destinations ==
Commercial service to the airport has previously been rejected. An application by the airport to allow such flights around the time of the [[2012 London Olympics]] was rejected by Bromley Council in March 2011.<ref name="newsshopper">
{{cite news|url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/bromley/8923851.Biggin_Hill_Airport_Olympic_proposals_rejected_by_council/|title=Biggin Hill Airport Olympic proposals rejected by Bromley Council|work=Bromley News Shopper|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|date=22 March 2011|access-date=23 January 2012}}</ref> Under the terms of its lease, no scheduled or fare-paying passenger services are permitted to operate to or from the airport. [[Air Alderney]] announced it planned to launch charter services between the airport and [[Alderney Airport|Alderney]].

== Accidents at Airport==
* On 18 June 1951, three [[Gloster Meteor]]s crashed and their pilots were killed in accidents, all three crashing in an area of about {{convert|100|yd|abbr=on}}. The first, a Meteor VIII piloted by Flight Lieutenant Gordon McDonald of 41 Squadron, crashed shortly after take-off, corkscrewing as pieces of structure fell from the aircraft. The aircraft hit a bungalow, killing the pilot. The jet wash of his flight leader was named as a possible cause. Within seconds of this accident two Mark IV Meteors of 600 Squadron, piloted by Sergeant Kenneth Clarkson and Squadron Leader Phillip Sandeman, both circling over the wreckage and preparing to land, collided at {{convert|2000|ft|abbr=on}} above the scene. Although Sandeman managed to bail out, he was killed when his parachute failed to open. Clarkson was killed in his aircraft. A week after this incident, another Meteor overshot the runway, narrowly missing passing cars. After these incidents, several residents stated they would be "selling up" and there were calls for traffic lights to be installed on the Bromley road for use during take-offs and landings.<ref>Bob Ogley ''Ghosts of Biggin Hill'' {{ISBN|1-872337-41-4}}</ref>
* On 15 May 1977, during the annual International Air Fair, a [[Bell 206]] helicopter was in a mid-air collision with a [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]] at the airport. The Tiger Moth landed but the Bell 206 crashed, killing all five on board.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/2-1978%20G-AVSN%20and%20G-ANDE.pdf |title=Air Accident Report 2/78 |publisher=AAIB}}</ref>
* On 25 November 1978, a [[Socata Rallye]] 150 collided with a [[Cessna 150]] over the airfield. The Rallye crashed near flying club buildings, killing the student pilot. The Cessna landed in a field and both occupants escaped with minor injuries. A report by the [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] concluded that the collision was caused by the failure of the Cessna pilot to see and give way to the other aircraft. The failure of the Rallye pilot to keep sufficient look-out was a contributory factor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5422f3db40f0b6134200044b/4-1980_G-BAZP_and_G-BEVX.pdf|title=Air Accident Report 4/80 |publisher=AAIB}}</ref>
* On 21 September 1980 a [[Douglas B-26 Invader]] (registered N3710G) [[1980 Biggin Hill Invader crash|crashed during an air display]]. The aircraft was attempting to carry out a climbing roll in front of the crowd when the nose dropped sharply, and the aircraft continued rolling until it dropped vertically into a valley. The pilot and seven passengers were killed. The [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|Civil Aviation Authority]] subsequently introduced rules preventing passengers from being carried during air displays.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id250.html |title=Bad day at Biggin| publisher= Martin J Simpson| access-date=16 September 2008}}</ref>
* On 2 June 2001 a vintage [[de Havilland Vampire]] jet [[2001 Biggin Hill Airshow disasters#Vampire crash|crashed]] during an air display, killing both pilots. The Vampire had been flying a display in tandem with a [[de Havilland Sea Vixen]] aircraft, and the likely cause of the accident was that the Vampire's flight path had been disrupted by [[wake turbulence]] from the larger aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |title= AAIB report into 2 June 2001 accident at Biggin Hill |url= http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/dft_avsafety_pdf_507791.pdf |access-date= 3 April 2008 }}</ref>
* On 3 June 2001 a 1944 [[Bell P-63 Kingcobra]] [[2001 Biggin Hill Airshow disasters#Kingcobra crash|crashed]] during a display, killing the pilot. The American Second World War fighter aircraft had been flying an unplanned sequence when the pilot lost control at the top of a climbing manoeuvre and was unable to recover from the resulting dive. The aircraft impacted the ground to the west of the runway in a steep nose-down attitude.<ref>{{cite web |title= AAIB report into 3 June 2001 accident at Biggin Hill |url= http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/dft_avsafety_pdf_500062.pdf |access-date= 9 June 2008}}</ref>
* On 30 March 2008 [[2008 Biggin Hill Cessna Citation crash|a Cessna Citation 501 aircraft crashed]] into a housing estate north of the airfield, killing all five people on board. Shortly after take-off from Biggin Hill, the pilot had reported severe engine vibration and was attempting to return to the airfield when the aircraft crashed. An investigation concluded that both engines had been shut down (possibly inadvertently) during the course of the short flight. Among those killed were [[Eurosport]] commentator and former [[British Touring Car Championship|Touring Car]] driver [[David Leslie (racing driver)|David Leslie]] and ex-[[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]] driver [[Richard Lloyd (racing driver)|Richard Lloyd]].<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7321589.stm |title=Private plane crashes into homes |work=BBC News |date=30 March 2008 |access-date =18 July 2012}}</ref>
* On 24 November 2014, a [[Gulfstream III]] left the runway at {{convert|70|kn}} during takeoff.<ref name="aaib_gulfstream">{{cite web | website=[[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] | url=https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-gulfstream-iii-g-1159a-n103cd | title=AAIB investigation to Gulfstream III (G-1159A), N103CD | date=18 May 2016 | accessdate=25 January 2025 }}</ref>  There were no injuries.<ref name="aaib_gulfstream"/> Investigators concluded that the pilot had misidentified lights marking the edge of the runway, believing them to denote the centreline.<ref name="aaib_gulfstream"/> The aircraft, which was owned by American televangelist [[Creflo Dollar]],<ref name="christian_post_dollar">{{cite news | website=[[The Christian Post]] | title=Creflo Dollar Now Flying 'Commercial,' Says Ministry; but He Still Needs That $65M Luxury Plane to Carry Food and People | author=Leonardo Blair | accessdate=25 January 2025 | date=13 March 2015 | url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/creflo-dollar-now-flying-commercial-says-ministry-but-he-still-needs-that-65m-luxury-plane-to-carry-food-and-people.html}}</ref> sustained significant damage and was declared a [[hull loss]].<ref name="aaib_gulfstream"/>

== Cultural references ==
The airport features briefly in the 2006 film ''[[The Da Vinci Code (film)|The Da Vinci Code]]'', as a landing site for the main characters travelling to London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film Locations for The Da Vinci Code (2006) |url=https://movie-locations.com/movies/d/Da-Vinci-Code.php |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Airports of London|Airports of London - Wikipedia]]
* [[List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=J|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R|last2=Hamlin|first2=J|last3=Halley|first3=J|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units |year=1997 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=0-85130-252-1}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* [[Bruce Barrymore Halpenny]] - ''Action Stations: Military Airfields of Greater London v. 8'' ({{ISBN|978-0-85059-585-7}})

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310052700/http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=1385321 Detailed historic record about RAF Biggin Hill]

{{portal bar|London|United Kingdom|Aviation}}
{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}
{{Transport in London}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in England|Biggin Hill Airport]]
[[Category:Airports in the London region|Biggin Hill Airport]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1917]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]