History
The airport was created at the suggestion of Captain Roy Harben Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom), DFC, a veteran of the Royal Flying Corps, who persuaded the Air Ministry that a flying school was required. The airport served the nearby town (now city) of Derby and was initially owned by Derby Corporation, which acquired the Burnaston House estate for £21,500 in 1936. The airport was opened for training flights in 1938, with the official opening performed by the Secretary of State for Air, Kingsley Wood, in June 1939. Plans to develop the airport for commercial flights were interrupted by the Second World War, when Burnaston was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). RAF Units; * No. 3 Basic Flying Training School RAF * No. 16 Elementary Flying Training School RAF * No. 16 Reserve Flying School RAF * No. 30 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF * No. 30 Elementary Flying Training School RAF * No. 49 Gliding School RAF In the post-war era British Midland International, Derby Aviation (later Derby Airways) began operating a number of scheduled services from Derby, the first route being to Jersey Airport, Jersey in 1953. During this time, Burnaston House served as the airport's terminal building. Commercial flights ceased in the 1960s when services were transferred to the newly opened East Midlands Airport nearby. The airfield continued to be used by flying clubs until being closed altogether in March 1990 to make way for the construction of the Toyota Manufacturing UK, Toyota car plant. Following the closure of the airport, Derby Airfield, a three-runway grass airfield, opened nearby.See also
*Derby Airfield *Tatenhill AirfieldReferences
Bibliography
* {{Defunct airports in the United Kingdom Airports in the East Midlands Defunct airports in England 1938 establishments in England 1990 disestablishments in England History of Derby Airports in Derbyshire Airports established in 1938 Airports disestablished in 1990