Croydon Airport has reopened after being closed for 67 years. The airport, which was formerly the UK’s main international airport, shut down permanently in 1959 and has remained abandoned ever since.
Last month, Croydon Airport welcomed the public for the first time as a historic site. The airport has been transformed into a museum, with visitors now able to explore the original terminal on the first Sunday of every month. Croydon Airport first opened in 1920 and served as a crucial hub for aviation following World War 1.
The airport is renowned as the birthplace of the ‘Mayday’ emergency call. In 1923, F.S. Mockford, Croydon’s Senior Radio Officer, created the distress phrase “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”, which is the phonetic equivalent of the French term “m’aidez” (“help me”).
Historic Croydon Airport said: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday’ was subsequently approved by the Air Ministry as the required radio procedure to be used in an emergency.
View 4 ImagesAbandoned UK airport where ‘mayday’ call was created opens again after 67 years(Image: historiccroydonairport)
View 4 ImagesCroydon Airport first opened in 1920 and played a major role in aviation after World War 1.(Image: Getty)
“In 1924, the UK promulgated its approval and use through the publication of The Air Pilot: Great Britain.
“Adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington in 1927, ‘Mayday’ became the international standard distress phrase. The ‘Mayday’ distress call still saves lives today.”
View 4 ImagesThe airport is known for being the place where the ‘Mayday’ distress call originated.(Image: Getty)
Croydon Airport closed due to expansion constraints as it couldn’t handle larger aircraft, with the final flight departing from the historic terminal in September 1959.
On Tripadvisor, recent visitors to the museum were keen to share their experiences, with one saying: “Fascinating trip through the history of passenger aviation!”
Another remarked: “I have lived in the area all my life and even used to go to Purley Way Lido across the way from the airport as a child, and didn’t know the significance of Croydon Airport.
Article continues below
“I was amazed how well preserved the building was, and didn’t even know it had a control tower. If you are into aviation or history, it is a must-see.”