London Ashford Airport - known locally as Lydd Airport - is ideally placed in a beautiful coastal location in the South East of England, near the shingle beaches of Dungeness, and is one of our most popular venues in this corner of the UK to book for flying days and experiences here on FlyDays.
It was one of the first airports to be built in the UK following the end of World War II in 1945, opening for business in 1954. It was primarily intended to be an all-weather operating airbase for Silver City Airways, as the nearby Lympne Airport (which closed in 1984) only had a grass runway that was frequently prone to waterlogged conditions.
By 1959, Lydd was one of the UK’s busiest airports, with some 250,000 passengers passing through each year. During its main run of operation, it was transporting air ferries, and then latterly Air Freight and Air Cargo under the Skyways Coach name.
The change of name to London Ashford from Lydd reflected its new ownership in the early 00s. Scheduled flights ceased there in 2018, although they still run a private charter service from there to certain UK and European destinations.
The grooved Asphalt runway at the airport, which was extended in 2014, measures almost 91 metres long, and there is also a new terminal building which was constructed and opened around the same time.
The airport also has refuelling facilities, aircraft maintenance, hangarage, and is even used from time to time as a filming location for well known TV shows and films including Top Gear and James Bond.
Gliding in the Garden of England
Kent is often cited as being the ‘Garden of England’. And with London Ashford Airport being in close proximity to both the Kent Downs and the Dungeness National Nature Reserve, our range of Gliding Introduction packages will let you feel like you’re soaring gracefully with the very same birds who fly above in its skies.
Gliding is a unique form of flying, as there’s no engine powering these streamlined sky dwelling beauties. Instead, under the expert guidance of a gliding instructor, you’ll learn to fly an aircraft that is powered just by you and four forces and thermals alone. Spectators are also welcome to come along and take photos of you in all your airborne glory.
Chopper to the Capital
Hop aboard at London Ashford and take to the skies for one of our very popular Helicopter Tours of the City of London. Available for one or two to enjoy, you’ll be thousands of feet above the Capital, taking in all the key landmarks.
Your pilot on-board will be your tour guide, pointing out sights such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Battersea Power Station, the OXO Tower and much more besides on this exciting way to explore one of the best loved cities in the world.
Booking to Fly at London Ashford
Whether you opt to purchase one of our open gift vouchers to put towards the experience you want to attend at a time to suit you or the loved one you’re surprising, or book onto any available date you see listed using our Events calendar, FlyDays has made it as easy as possible for you to arrange your next flying day or experience at London Ashford Airport.