Airport House, Purley Way

Built 1926

Croydon Airport housed the world's first international terminal, from the earliest days of air transport until it closed in 1959.  It was from here that Amy Johnson made her famous solo flight to Darwin, Australia in 1930.  On her return to Croydon thousands of people lined Purley Way to welcome her back.

Dissected by a country road, Plough Lane, traffic was from time to time held up while aircraft were towed across by tractors.  This road was closed and levelled as part of the development for the new aerodrome buildings opened in 1928 which were built in a retardataire Classical style, suggestive of the steam ship terminals that were popular at the time.

At the outbreak of World War II the airport closed to civil flying and the RAF occupied the field.  From here Fighter Command fought The Battle of Britain and later Transport Command operated Dakotas to Europe.  In the post-war years small service airlines such as Olley Air Service and Transair continued to operate from the airfield until its closure.

Responsible for a number of major technical innovations, such as early aerial direction finding by radio, runway marker lines, and a through baggage hall, it is now open as a visitor centre for aviation.

Amy Johnson

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Friday, 25 July, 2008

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