**Historic Spitfire Flights Set to Take Off from Swansea Airport This Summer**
A unique opportunity is set to soar above Swansea as Spitfire experience flights are due to make their debut at Swansea Airport this month. The iconic Second World War aircraft, renowned for its role in the Battle of Britain and instantly recognisable by the throaty roar of its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, will be available for passenger flights beginning on 11 May. Additional dates have also been announced for June, July, August, and September, giving aviation enthusiasts and history lovers plenty of chance to experience this rare adventure.
The initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance, which currently operates the airport at Fairwood Common, and FlyaSpitfire.com, a company specialising in Spitfire flights for the public. FlyaSpitfire.com operates three twin-seat T.9 Spitfires, offering flights from their main base at Biggin Hill Airport near London and at various other locations across the UK. This marks the first time Swansea will host such an event, enhancing its appeal as an aviation destination while tapping into the area’s rich wartime history.
Darren Dray, FlyaSpitfire.com’s commercial manager, expressed optimism about the partnership and the opportunity to showcase Swansea’s scenic coastline from the air. “I think it’s going to be a beautiful place to fly from,” Dray remarked, indicating the unique experience of taking in Gower’s stunning landscape from the cockpit of a historic Spitfire. Their offering at Swansea is expected to attract visitors from across Wales and beyond, potentially providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
On each flying date, one of the company’s Spitfires will be stationed at Swansea Airport to take passengers aloft. Over the season, all three Spitfire T.9s might make an appearance, depending on demand. If the scheduled sessions prove popular and sell out quickly, additional dates are likely to be added. However, this once-in-a-lifetime experience comes at a premium: flights are offered at 30, 45, and 55 minutes, ranging in price from £3,375 up to £5,875. Each flight includes a complimentary video keepsake and a thrilling victory roll — all Spitfires used have dual controls, allowing for a genuine hands-on aviation experience.
The significant costs of operating such historic aircraft are reflected in the price. FlyaSpitfire.com notes that maintaining and certifying a Spitfire requires frequent replacement of key parts, in strict accordance with Civil Aviation Authority requirements. These measures ensure safety and preserve the authenticity of these treasured machines, but they add substantially to running costs.
The Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance, a not-for-profit collective of aviation experts and enthusiasts, has been at the helm of airport operations since September last year, managing the site under an agreement with Swansea Council. Alliance chairman, Bob Oliver, shared his excitement about both the Spitfire flights and the airport’s growing momentum: “There is a real buzz about the place. We are delighted to welcome FlyaSpitfire.com and are already in talks with other aviation companies. This could be the first of many exciting opportunities for Swansea Airport.”
In addition to the upcoming flights, Swansea Airport is steadily expanding its services. It is currently home to two flying clubs, a skydiving business, a popular dog-friendly café open daily, and four weekly nights of Thai cuisine. The Alliance has also invested in upgrading facilities, acquiring a fire engine, a fuel bowser, an operations truck, staff caravans, and essential maintenance tools to bolster airport operations. An application is now with Swansea Council for an entertainments licence, which would allow the venue to host evening events in the future.
With over 150 active members and an expanding staff, the Alliance continues to operate on a non-profit basis, nurturing the airport’s status as a community asset. The council, for its part, is planning to seek a long-term operator for the 450-acre airfield through a competitive tendering process. Once requisitioned as an air defence base during the Second World War, Swansea Airport still operates two runways and retains its historic terminal, inaugurated in 1957 by famed wartime pilot Douglas Bader.
As Swansea prepares to greet the legendary Spitfire, both aviation aficionados and locals can look forward to a summer marked by the deep rumble of Merlin engines and the continued revitalisation of their community airport. This initiative is a testament to the enduring fascination with Britain’s aviation heritage, and an exciting new chapter for Swansea’s skies.