Northolt remains an active RAF station, but for several post-war years it also served as London's civil airport while Heathrow was being completed.
History
A military airfield from 1915
Northolt opened in 1915 as a Royal Flying Corps military airfield and later played a major role in the Battle of Britain.
It temporarily served as London Airport
In 1946, while Heathrow was still being completed, RAF Northolt handled civil traffic as London Airport. That role ended as Heathrow took over the city's main civilian services.
Civil use ended in 1954
Northolt returned to sole military use in 1954 rather than closing altogether.
Today
It is still an active RAF station
Unlike Croydon, Heston or Hendon, Northolt remains operational. It is now a military airfield used for RAF transport and government-related flying.