Newquay Airport

The airfield was opened in 1933 as a civilian facility, but was requisitioned at the outbreak of World War II and named RAF Trebelzue to support other bases in the Cornwall area. The base was renamed RAF St Mawgan in 1943, after expansion. The facility was then handed to the USAAF and there were a number of improvements, including the building of a new control tower and expansion of the current runway. The airfield was put under maintenance in 1947, and reopened as a Coastal Command base in 1951.

Since 1951, aircraft squadron which have operated at the station have included 7 Sqn., 22 Sqn., 203 Sqn. (Sea King OCU, 1996–2008); 220 Sqn (later renamed 201); 228 Sqn. (later renamed 206), both Long Range Reconnaissance Squadrons; No. 42 Squadron RAF (BAe Nimrod) (disbanded 1992), No. 236 Operational Conversion Unit RAF, the Nimrod front-line conversion-to-type unit (1970-1992). In addition, Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment and 2625 Sqn (Royal Auxiliary Air Force) were present. 2625 Sqn was disbanded on 1 November 2006, whilst 1 Sqn RAF Regt relocated to RAF Honington. The others relocated or closed. In 2005, RAF St Mawgan was one of the bases shortlisted to house the new Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) in 2013, but in November 2005, it was announced by Minister of State for the Armed Forces Adam Ingram that the operation would be based from Scotland. Helicopter maintenance (HMF) also ceased here in late 2006.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

Flying operations at RAF St Mawgan (on the opposite side of the runway to the civil terminal) ceased in December 2008.

File:Nqyramp.JPG and Flybe jets at Newquay Airport in June 2007]]

In 2006, the airport introduced a £5 per passenger airport development fee, payable by all departing passengers via an ATM type machine prior to passing security.{{cite web |url=http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/index.cfm?articleid=40523 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220054448/http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/index.cfm?articleid=40523 |archivedate=20 December 2008 |title=Airport Development Fee |website=Newquay Cornwall Airport}} This resulted in Monarch Airlines axing its route from the airport (to Málaga) and in Ryanair reducing the number of flights, though this was later restored. In 2015, it was announced that the £5 development fee would be scrapped in March 2016. Before 2008, the airport operated as dual civilian/military airport, with the civilian side known as Newquay Civil Airport. In 2008, the airport closed from 1 to 19 December, to allow time for the takeover of the airfield navigation services (i.e. air traffic control) from RAF St Mawgan and to fully meet CAA standards. After further inspections by the CAA, flights recommenced on 20 December 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/newquay-cornwall-airport-reopens-to-comm/ |title=Newquay Cornwall Airport reopens to commercial flights under new civilian licence - DN - Defence Notes - Shephard Media |website=shephardmedia.com |language=en |access-date=2018-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165115/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/newquay-cornwall-airport-reopens-to-comm/ |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=live }}

By virtue of a statutory instrument issued on 22 September 2009, Newquay Airport is subject to current airport bylaws, per section 63 of the Airports Act 1986.{{cite legislation UK |type=si |year=2009 |number=2576 |si=The Airports Byelaws (Designation) Order |date=22 September 2009}}

An extension opened in 2006 increased the terminal's size by 20%, allowing the airport to handle up to 450,000 passengers a year. In January 2008, Cornwall County Council approved plans for an expanded arrivals hall and departure lounge; a new retail outlet; a business lounge; and new airfield structures. In May 2008, the new arrivals and baggage reclaim area was opened; unlike the old arrivals hall, this allowed domestic and international flights to be processed simultaneously. It also added a gate to the departure lounge. The expansion of the airport was criticised in 2007 by a number of environmental groups. This opposition was based not only on environmental concerns (given that the majority of flights are short-haul and to destinations that could be served by rail), but also socio-economic concerns that airport expansion would lead to a greater demand for second homes in Cornwall, adding to already inflated local house prices.{{cite web |website=Groundswell Cornwall |url=http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/files/u1/y_Airport_The_Case_Examined_revised_Oct_2007.pdf |title=Newquay Airport The Case Examined |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121210758/http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/files/u1/y_Airport_The_Case_Examined_revised_Oct_2007.pdf |archivedate=21 November 2008 |date=October 2007 |access-date=9 February 2008}}

The Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair pulled out of the airport in 2006, ceasing flights to London Stansted and Girona-Costa Brava Airport.{{cite web |url=http://peanuts.aero/low_cost_airline_news/airline/19538/59/Ryanair%2Breturns%2Bto%2BNewquay%2BCornwall%2BAirport |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218070551/http://peanuts.aero/low_cost_airline_news/airline/19538/59/Ryanair%2Breturns%2Bto%2BNewquay%2BCornwall%2BAirport |archivedate=2010-12-18 |title=Ryanair returns to Newquay Cornwall Airport}} In November 2008, Newquay Airport released its draft master plan, outlining its plans for the airport until 2030.{{cite web |url=http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/index.cfm?articleid=40548 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307164131/http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/index.cfm?articleid=40548 |archivedate=7 March 2009 |title=The Newquay Cornwall Airport Draft Masterplan}} In July 2011, the airport's main carrier, Air Southwest, announced the end of all flights from Newquay effective 30 September 2011, leaving the airport with only three year-round scheduled routes.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14154909 |title=Air Southwest is to cease flights |date=2011-07-14 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=2018-01-10 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115184605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14154909 |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

In May 2013, Flybe announced it would cease flying to Gatwick, leaving Newquay with year-round flights to just the Isles of Scilly and Manchester. On 2 December 2013, Flybe announced they had agreed a deal with Newquay which would secure the future of the Gatwick route until the end of October 2014, so that a public service obligation (PSO) subsidy could be finalised. Under the new deal Flybe was to operate two daily flights, with the afternoon service being dropped.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-funding-secures-cornwall-to-london-air-link |title=Government funding secures Cornwall to London air link |work=gov.uk |access-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201230900/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-funding-secures-cornwall-to-london-air-link |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=live }} Ryanair returned to the airport in April 2016, after the £5 development fee was scrapped.{{cite web|url=https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/press/press-releases/ryanair-announce-new-flights-from-cornwall-airport-newquay|title=Ryanair announce new flights for 2016|website=Cornwall Airport Newquay|access-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925182121/https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/press/press-releases/ryanair-announce-new-flights-from-cornwall-airport-newquay|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live}}

On 5 March 2020, Flybe ceased trading, leaving Cornwall with no year-round direct flights to London once again. British Airways announced a six-flight-per-week summer schedule to London, commencing initially in Easter 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on aviation resulted in the service launch being postponed. The service was eventually launched on 24 July 2020, albeit as a year-round service under a Public Service Obligation Emergency Order which lasts until February 2021. During this period, Department for Transport will run the tender process for the four-year contract which will begin in March 2021.{{Cite web|title=Services - 348245-2020 - TED Tenders Electronic Daily|url=https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:348245-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML|access-date=2020-07-28|website=ted.europa.eu|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728212928/https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:348245-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML|url-status=live}}

In August 2011, the UK government announced that the airport's bid to host an enterprise zone for aerospace businesses had been successful.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-14554299 |title=Newquay airport named as enterprise zone |publisher=BBC News Online |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925224858/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-14554299 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live }} The Aerohub enterprise zone was launched in April 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.airport-world.com/news/general-news/4660-aerohub-at-newquay-cornwall-attracting-businesses-to-its-enterprise-zone.html |title=Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall continues to attract businesses |publisher=Airport World |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402211850/http://www.airport-world.com/news/general-news/4660-aerohub-at-newquay-cornwall-attracting-businesses-to-its-enterprise-zone.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live }} In September 2014, the UK's Homes and Communities Agency and the European Regional Development Fund agreed to fund the construction of a £6{{nbsp}}million Aerohub Business Park.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-29075623 |title=Aerohub business park at Newquay Airport to gain £6m investment |publisher=BBC News Online |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028130716/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-29075623 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=live }} Organisations attracted to Aerohub by 2014 included Classic Air Force and the Bloodhound Supersonic Car project.

From 29 March 2013, Classic Air Force has operated from the airport using a variety of aircraft,{{cite book |title=FlyPast |date=March 2013 |publisher=Key Publishing Ltd |location=Stamford, Lincolnshire|page=6}} including the world's oldest flying British jet aircraft and the only flying Gloster Meteor T7.{{cite web |title=Gloster (Armstrong Whitworth) Meteor T7 |url=http://www.classicairforce.com/meteor-info |publisher=Classic Air Force |access-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010622/http://www.classicairforce.com/meteor-info |archive-date=5 October 2013 }} From April 2013 until 2017, it has also operated a museum in the {{convert|70000|sqft}} Hangar 404, which was previously used to service the Hawker Siddeley Nimrods of RAF St Mawgan. Some of the now-closed museum's exhibits remain elsewhere on the airfield under different ownership. Since 2015, a new venture known as 'Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre' (CAHC), was opened at the Aerohub.{{cite web |title=Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre |url=https://padstowlive.com/things-to-do/cornwall-aviation-heritage-centre/ |website=padstowlive.com/ |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328180201/https://padstowlive.com/things-to-do/cornwall-aviation-heritage-centre/ |url-status=dead }}

Testing of Bloodhound SSC at speeds of over {{convert|200|mph|abbr=on}} was performed on the runway in 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/newquay-2017/bloodhound-dynamic-testing-run-reports|title=BLOODHOUND Dynamic testing – Run reports|date=16 October 2017|website=BLOODHOUND SSC|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017045013/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/newquay-2017/bloodhound-dynamic-testing-run-reports|archive-date=17 October 2017|url-status=live}} in preparation for a {{convert|500|mph|abbr=on}} test run on its new specially created race track at Hakskeen Pan, South Africa in 2019, leading to an attempt on the land speed record in the future.{{cite news|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/BLOODHOUND500|title=BLOODHOUND 500 – SOUTH AFRICA 2019|date=15 December 2017|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724154416/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/BLOODHOUND500|archive-date=24 July 2018|url-status=live}} Plans have been submitted to build the world's deepest artificial pool in Cornwall to train astronauts and help advance undersea robotics.{{cite web |title=Plans to build world's deepest pool in Cornwall to train astronauts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/02/worlds-deepest-pool-could-be-built-in-cornwall |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2021 |access-date=23 September 2021}}

A Cycle-hub is due to be built near Newquay Aerohub Business Park on council-owned land and is the result of a partnership between British Cycling, Cornwall Council and Sport England.{{cite news |title=Cornwall cycling hub 'to form Tour of Britain legacy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-58454233 |access-date=23 September 2021 |publisher=BBC}}

In September 2013, the National Aeronautical Centre (NAC) at Aberporth Airport in West Wales announced that it would use Newquay as its second airport for testing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-24049772 |title=UAV testing in Aberporth expanding to use Newquay Cornwall Airport |publisher=BBC News Online |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213202932/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-24049772 |archive-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=live }} The NAC said it was attracted by the length of the runway and the facilities of Aerohub. The test flights would require {{convert|3000|sqmi}} of segregated airspace over the sea.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-24039036 |title=Drones to fly out of Newquay testing site |publisher=BBC News Online |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925225054/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-24039036 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live }} In March 2015, the airport reported that the establishment of this segregated area had not yet been agreed with the Department for Transport, who stated that negotiations with international bodies to create an appropriate regulatory framework for UAVs were still taking place.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-31753506 |title=Newquay Airport: Government 'to oppose drone testing' |last=Gallacher |first=Neil |publisher=BBC News Online |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306045006/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-31753506 |archive-date=6 March 2015 |url-status=live }}

In July 2014, Newquay was one of eight airports shortlisted by the Civil Aviation Authority as a possible site for a British commercial spaceport.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jul/15/uk-spaceport-project-launched-tourism-science |title=Space race: eight sites shortlisted for UK's first commercial spaceport |last=Sample |first=Ian |newspaper=The Guardian |date=15 July 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717084146/http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jul/15/uk-spaceport-project-launched-tourism-science |archive-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=live }} The shortlist was reduced to six airports in March 2015, with Newquay still a candidate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31711083 |title=UK ministers issue spaceport shortlist |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |publisher=BBC News Online |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303120521/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31711083 |archive-date=3 March 2015 |url-status=live }} The selection process was abandoned in May 2016 after the Department for Transport announced it would be creating regulatory conditions allowing any suitable location wishing to become a spaceport.{{cite news |url=http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14506625.UK_spaceport_competition_axed_in_favour_of_licensing_model/ |title=UK spaceport competition axed in favour of licensing model |last1=McArdle |first1=Helen |date=20 May 2016 |work=The Herald - Scotland |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611091428/http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/14506625.UK_spaceport_competition_axed_in_favour_of_licensing_model/ |archive-date=11 June 2016 |url-status=live }}

The following airlines operate regular scheduled flights to and from Newquay:[https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/where-can-i-fly cornwallairportnewquay.com - Where can I fly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804190758/https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/where-can-i-fly |date=4 August 2020 }} retrieved 21 August 2022

{{Airport-dest-list

| {{nowrap|Aer Lingus}} | Seasonal: Belfast–City (resumes 28 June 2025),https://businesscornwall.co.uk/news-by-industry/tourism-sector-business-news-cornwall/2025/02/belfast-route-returns/ Dublin[https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/flight-routes/ cornwallairportnewquay.com - Flight routes] retrieved 1 February 2025

|Eastern Airways | London–Gatwick, London–Southendhttps://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/24849071.southend-airport-eastern-airways-flights-cornwall/

|easyJet | Seasonal: Manchester{{Cite web|url=https://ukaviation.news/easyjet-announces-new-routes-from-newquay-cornwall/|title=easyJet announces new routes from Newquay, Cornwall|first=UK Aviation|last=News|date=11 February 2021}}

|Edelweiss Air | Seasonal: Zurich{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Zurich, Switzerland|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=1178-1184}}[https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/flight-routes/ cornwallairportnewquay.com - Flight routes] retrieved 1 February 2025

|Eurowings | Seasonal: Düsseldorf{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220409-ewns22|title=Eurowings NS22 Network Expansion Update - 08APR22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=9 April 2022|accessdate=6 January 2025|language=en-ca|archive-date=30 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830204942/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220409-ewns22|url-status=live}}

|{{nowrap|Isles of Scilly Skybus}} | Seasonal: Isles of Scilly{{Cite web|url=https://businesscornwall.co.uk/news-by-industry/roads-and-transportation/2021/08/busiest-july-ever-for-lands-end-airport/|title=Busiest July ever for Land’s End Airport|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=23 August 2021|accessdate=6 January 2025|language=en|archive-date=10 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910203644/https://businesscornwall.co.uk/news-by-industry/roads-and-transportation/2021/08/busiest-july-ever-for-lands-end-airport/|url-status=live}}

|Loganair | Aberdeen,{{efn|Aberdeen service is a continuation of the Manchester service as the same flight number}} Isle of Man,{{efn|Isle of Man service is a continuation of the Manchester service as the same flight number}} Manchester{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240227-lmns24|title=Loganair NS24 Service Changes – 25FEB24|website=Aeroroutes.com|accessdate=2 November 2024|language=en-CA|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615175506/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240227-lmns24|url-status=live}}
Seasonal: Edinburgh, Glasgow (begins 31 May 2025),{{Cite web|url=https://airlinergs.com/loganair-launches-glasgow-newquay-route-for-summer-2025/|title=Loganair launches Glasgow-Newquay route for summer 2025|first=William|last=Hallowell|date=17 October 2024}} Newcastle upon Tyne{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/direct-loganair-flights-newcastle-airport-29144197.amp|title=Direct Loganair flights from Newcastle Airport to Newquay resume for the summer|access-date=3 November 2024|archive-date=30 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130055556/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/direct-loganair-flights-newcastle-airport-29144197.amp|url-status=live}}

|Ryanair{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes}} | Alicante,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Newquay, UK|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=752-753}} Dublin,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Faro, London–Stansted,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Málaga
Seasonal: Edinburgh{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-rkns23|title=Ryanair Moves Additional Routes to Ryanair UK in NS23|website=Aeroroutes|access-date=4 September 2024|archive-date=7 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007132121/https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-rkns23|url-status=live}}

}}

File:Cosmic Girl and LauncherOne on the way out to Sea (50846763897) (cropped).jpg carrying LauncherOne–only one flight of the Virgin Orbit system was carried out from Spaceport Cornwall]]

In June 2019, the UK government and Cornwall Council announced they were prepared to invest up to £20M into the airport to create Spaceport Cornwall as a base for Virgin Orbit. The system, in support of the UK space industry,{{Cite web|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9202/|title=The UK Space Industry|work=UK Parliament House of Commons Library|date=23 April 2021|access-date=2 February 2022|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202150320/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9202/|url-status=live}} would launch satellite carrying rockets to space from under the wing of a converted Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 jumbo jet by the early 2020s dependent on the business case put forward.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48521386 |title=Investment offer to take Cornwall and Virgin into orbit |last1=Amos |first1=Jonathan |date=4 June 2019 |work=BBC News Website - Science & Environment |access-date=19 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614161929/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48521386 |archive-date=14 June 2019 |url-status=live }} On 5 November 2019, the UK Space Agency announced that it would provide £7.35M to establish Virgin Orbit operations at Spaceport Cornwall.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/u-k-government-to-fund-spaceport-improvements-for-virgin-orbit/|title=U.K. Government to fund spaceport improvements for Virgin Orbit|date=6 November 2019}}

On 30 September 2022, Spaceport Cornwall was officially launched, with the opening of their Space Systems Integration Facility (SSIF).{{Cite web |url=https://spaceportcornwall.com/press-releases/countdown-to-cornwall-spaceport-cornwall-officially-open-for-business/ |title=Countdown to Cornwall: Spaceport Cornwall Officially Open for Business |date=30 September 2022 |work=Spaceport Cornwall Website |access-date=11 October 2022 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011140021/https://spaceportcornwall.com/press-releases/countdown-to-cornwall-spaceport-cornwall-officially-open-for-business/ |url-status=live }} The spaceport will also be home to the Centre for Space Technologies consisting of the SSIF and the Space Systems Operation Facility, an adjacent R&D work and office space. The spaceport, working with new businesses in the local area and the University of Exeter aim to be the first to reach Net Zero globally.

On 16 November 2022, it was announced that Spaceport Cornwall had been granted an operating licence by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) allowing it to send satellites into space.

As of December 2023, Spaceport Cornwall are working on system development and UK return missions with launch operators Sierra Space and Space Engine Systems. In addition, the spaceport is in discussions with an established horizontal launch provider with a view to support UK launches from mid-2025.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sncorp.com/news-archive/sierra-space-enters-into-international-agreement-with-spaceport-cornwall-for-dream-chaser-spaceplane-bolsters-uk-space-industry/|title=Sierra Space Enters into International Agreement with Spaceport Cornwall for Dream Chaser® Spaceplane; Bolsters UK Space Industry|work=Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)|date=9 June 2021|archive-date=26 March 2024|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326145607/https://www.sncorp.com/news-archive/sierra-space-enters-into-international-agreement-with-spaceport-cornwall-for-dream-chaser-spaceplane-bolsters-uk-space-industry/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://spaceportcornwall.com/looking-back-a-year-of-inspiration-and-innovation/|title=Looking Back: A Year of Inspiration and Innovation|work=Spaceport Cornwall|date=20 December 2023|archive-date=26 March 2024|access-date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326142851/https://spaceportcornwall.com/looking-back-a-year-of-inspiration-and-innovation/|url-status=live}}

The first launch from the spaceport using the Virgin Orbit LauncherOne system took place on 9 January 2023 with a payload of several small satellites. However, after being released by its carrier aircraft, the LauncherOne rocket suffered an upper stage engine anomaly at approximately 180 km (112 miles) altitude on its ascent into space, failing to achieve orbit and resulting in the loss of the payload.{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/launcherone-virgin-orbit-reveals-why-uks-first-rocket-launch-failed-as-it-plans-further-attempts-12785138|title=LauncherOne: Virgin Orbit reveals why UK's first rocket launch failed as it plans further attempts|work=Sky News|date=12 January 2023|archive-date=30 January 2023|access-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130170915/https://news.sky.com/story/launcherone-virgin-orbit-reveals-why-uks-first-rocket-launch-failed-as-it-plans-further-attempts-12785138|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64218883|title=UK space launch: Historic Cornwall rocket launch ends in failure|work=BBC News|date=10 January 2023|archive-date=25 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125000813/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64218883|url-status=live}} The flight was the only one carried out from the spaceport using the Virgin Orbit system.

After failing to secure new investment, Virgin Orbit halted operations in March 2023 and filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2023. They later agreed to sell key assets to other aerospace companies and ceasing operations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65172594|title=Virgin Orbit: Richard Branson's rocket firm files for bankruptcy|work=BBC News|date=4 April 2023|archive-date=5 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405042901/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65172594|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |title=Virgin Orbit fails to secure funding, will cease operations and lay off nearly entire workforce |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/30/virgin-orbit-funding-ceasing-operations-layoffs.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=CNBC |date=30 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907013000/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/30/virgin-orbit-funding-ceasing-operations-layoffs.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ed |title=Virgin Orbit: Facts about the bankrupt air-launch provider |url=https://www.space.com/42975-virgin-orbit.html |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=SPACE.com - Future US, Inc. |date=10 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621160053/http://www.space.com/42975-virgin-orbit.html |url-status=live }}

Newquay airport is home to:

• Cornwall Air Ambulance since its introduction in 1987. {{As of|2020|04|01}}, the trust operates an AgustaWestland AW169.{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Data G-CRWL, 2019 Leonardo AW-169 C/N 69100|url=https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-CRWL.html|access-date=3 October 2021|website=airport-data.com|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423081758/https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-CRWL.html|url-status=live}}
• HM Coastguard have a small operations base and operate two Sikorsky S92 helicopters from Newquay Airport.{{Cite web|last=Bristow Group|title=Latest News - bristowgroup.com|url=http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2015/new-search-and-rescue-helicopters-arrive-newquay/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Bristow Group|language=en}}

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• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.aerohub.co.uk/ Aerohub Enterprise Zone]

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{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}

{{Spaceports}}

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Category:Newquay

Category:Airports in Cornwall

Category:Companies owned by municipalities of England