After nearly nine decades of operation, Coventry Airport is preparing to permanently close its doors this week, marking the end of an era for one of the Midlands’ long-serving aviation hubs.

Airport officials revealed that the final booked commercial passengers to depart from the airport were members of Take That, with Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen photographed alongside ground staff before departure. In a farewell message shared on social media, airport staff thanked the band members for taking time to meet employees and offer their support during the airport’s final days.

Commercial flights from Coventry Airport ceased on May 9, with full operations officially ending on June 11 following formal notice submitted to aviation authorities. The closure brings to an end almost 90 years of aviation history at the site.

According to aviation officials, the airport has formally confirmed plans for permanent closure, paving the way for a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the area into a future-focused industrial hub.

The site will be redeveloped into Greenpower Park, a large-scale project centered on electric vehicle battery production and recycling. The development forms part of the West Midlands Investment Zone initiative, designed to strengthen advanced manufacturing and green technology industries across the region.

While the airport’s closure marks the end of a historic chapter for local aviation, supporters of the redevelopment argue the transformation could create new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable manufacturing in the years ahead.

For many staff and aviation enthusiasts, however, the airport’s final days represent a moment of reflection as Coventry Airport prepares for its final takeoff.