There’s an abandoned airport in London that was once the world’s biggest
- Croydon Airport in London was once the biggest in the world
- The airport was home to the world’s first control tower
- Croydon shut in the late 1950s as it couldn’t expand to meet demand
Published on Mar 01, 2025 at 12:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Feb 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
London – the UK capital city – is home to many airports, such as Heathrow, where the famous Concorde took off from, as you can see in the above video.
However, perhaps its most important airport is one that nobody has even heard of, outside the center of town in Croydon.
Croydon Airport opened in the 1920s and closed in the 1950s. It was the site of many world firsts, including the world’s first control tower and airport hotel.
Croydon was once the world’s biggest airport, but today just a few buildings remind us of its former purpose – thankfully, those important buildings at the airport are Grade II listed, protecting them from demolition.
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Croydon was once a major British airport
The airport opened its doors in 1920, becoming the hub of British aviation.
Imperial Airways – Britain’s first national airline and a forerunner of British Airways – opened the site.
Croydon would soon begin to operate flights across Europe, including to Paris and Berlin.
Soon after, it would become global as it introduced new air traffic control procedures and radio navigation.
Croydon introduced the Mayday distress signal, and during World War II, the airport was a Royal Air Force fighter base.
Winston Churchill took flying lessons at the site, nearly dying in an accident at the site.
The airport was also where Charles Lindberg landed in the Spirit of St. Louis after crossing the Atlantic.
Famous aviator Amy Johnson also took off from the London airport on her record-breaking flight to Australia.
A visitor center serves as a reminder to the airport’s history
General Francisco Franco took off from its runways in 1936 on a flight that would ignite the Spanish Civil War.
After the war, the airport reopened to commercial traffic, but Croydon had grown, leaving the town’s airport with no room to expand.
Larger airports at Gatwick and Heathrow then began to take over.
In 1952, the Government decided to slowly close the airport, and the last flight left in September 1959.
Today, a visitor center stands on the site, and guided tours of the original control tower and terminal are available.
A De Havilland Heron airliner stands outside the terminal, serving as a reminder of the final flight from 1959.
It is remarkable to think that – despite being so important to aviation history – Croydon Airport has faded from people’s memories.
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
