Nestled on the windswept coast of Kent, Lydd Airport— previously known historically as London Ashford Airport—offers more than just aviation services. It stands as a modern link to a rich and strategic heritage shaped by trade, defense, and innovation. To truly understand the significance of Lydd Airport, one must explore not only its aviation roots but also its place within the legacy of the Cinque Ports.

The Cinque Ports: England’s First Line of Defense

Lydd sits within the ancient Liberty of the Cinque Ports, a medieval confederation of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex formed for defence and trade. “Cinque” (French for “five”) refers to the original ports of Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich. These towns were granted special privileges by the Crown in exchange for providing ships and men to defend the realm, long before the Royal Navy existed.

Lydd was not one of the original five ports, but historically served as a “limb” of New Romney, meaning it held associated rights and responsibilities. This unique heritage reflects the area’s longstanding connection to mobility, security, and maritime trade.

Building on these historical links to the sea, and recognising the region’s close ties to mainland Europe, Lydd Airport opened in 1954 under the name Ferryfield. Built by Silver City Airways, it was designed to serve as the main UK terminal for cross-Channel car ferry flights which was a fascinating and innovative concept at the time, flying both passengers and their vehicles between the UK and France. At its peak, Lydd Airport was one of the busiest in the country, playing a major role in post-war civil aviation and international travel. It became a key part of the Kent landscape and an early leader in efficient, integrated transport.

As the car ferry service declined mainly due to the rise of roll-on/roll-off ferries and, later, the Channel Tunnel, Lydd Airport adapted. Over the following decades, the airport supported general aviation, business jets, flight training, filming, and specialist charter operations. In more recent years, it has become a base for government activity, search and rescue, and the development of emerging aviation technologies.

Today, the spirit of the Cinque Ports lives on through the movement of aircraft rather than ships, but the purpose remains the same: connecting people, safeguarding borders, and supporting the region’s place in a wider world.

 

The Emergence of Lydd Airport

Fast forward to the 20th century, and the story of Lydd took to the skies.

Lydd Airport was officially opened in 1954, during the golden age of post-war aviation. It was one of the first airports in Britain to be built after World War II, with a clear aim: to serve as a regional hub for international travel, particularly across the English Channel. At its peak in the 1950s and 60s, the airport operated regular flights to Le Touquet in France and other European destinations, offering a quick and stylish alternative to ferry crossings.

Built on flat marshland just outside the historic town, Lydd Airport was uniquely positioned, —both geographically and historically. Its location near the coast mirrored the ancient role of the Cinque Ports, providing an outward-facing link between England and continental Europe.

A Modern Regional Airport with Deep Roots

More recently, Lydd Airport served private, business, and charter flights. While not as busy as larger regional airports, it remains an important part of the area’s transport network. 

Lydd Airport stands on centuries of history. As a limb of the ancient Cinque Ports, its story begins in medieval trade and defense, evolves through aviation ambition, and continues today as a quiet yet proud symbol of Kent’s enduring role as a bridge between England and the world. With a new focus in pioneering the intergrarion of fixed wing and UAS airspace alongside economic and environmentally smart airfreight, Lydd Airport continues to make its mark in history.