Biggin Hill International Air Fair
Encyclopedia
The Biggin Hill International Air Show, or Biggin Hill Air Fair, was one of the largest civilian airshows in the world and the largest privately organised air show in Europe
. It ran once a year, usually near the end of June, at London Biggin Hill Airport
, a former World War II
RAF fighter station.
Jock Maitland purchased a lease to run Biggin Hill Airport from Bromley Council
in 1958, and commenced the first show in 1963. The council privatised the airport in 1988 and it was bought by Biggin Hill Airport Ltd in 1994, who agreed a 25 year contract for the air fair.
In 2010 Biggin Hill Airport Ltd, the airfield leaseholders cancelled the licence to run the air fair after 47 years, despite the licence having three years remaining.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. It ran once a year, usually near the end of June, at London Biggin Hill Airport
London Biggin Hill Airport
London Biggin Hill Airport is an airport at Biggin Hill in the London Borough of Bromley, located south southeast of Central London, United Kingdom...
, a former World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
RAF fighter station.
History
Squadron LeaderSquadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
Jock Maitland purchased a lease to run Biggin Hill Airport from Bromley Council
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
in 1958, and commenced the first show in 1963. The council privatised the airport in 1988 and it was bought by Biggin Hill Airport Ltd in 1994, who agreed a 25 year contract for the air fair.
In 2010 Biggin Hill Airport Ltd, the airfield leaseholders cancelled the licence to run the air fair after 47 years, despite the licence having three years remaining.