Originally opened in 1915 and best known as RAF Finningley, the airfield was mostly used for training in the Second World War.
The Cold War saw the airfield's importance rise when it was used for nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers. Training once again became the priority in the 1970s and 1980s before the airport was decommissioned in 1995.
The airport currently has a single runway designated 02/20, with a length of 2,895 by 60 m (9,498 by 197 ft), making it longer and wider than those at many other airports in Northern England. This stems from the airport's history as a former long-range nuclear bomber base (see RAF Finningley), and makes the airport suitable for wide-bodied, long-haul or cargo-carrying aircraft. The runway is, in fact, long enough that the airport was designated a Space Shuttle emergency landing site. There is significant room at the airport for further passenger and cargo capacity expansion in the future. As it stands, terminal capacity is around 2.5 million passengers annually.
AVGAS and JET A1 onsite, as is a restaurant in the terminal building. PPR please. Taxi and car hire available in the terminal. Radio is 126.225 for approach and tower is 128.775
