From Fighter Planes to Feature Films: The Story of Leeds East Airport
Before it became home to the airport, film production and events hubspot it is today, Leeds East Airport began life as RAF Church Fenton, officially opened on 1 April 1937.
A vital part of Yorkshire’s wartime defence
During the Second World War, RAF Church Fenton played an important role in protecting the skies over Yorkshire and the wider North of England. It was home to a number of fighter squadrons that flew day and night operations, defending key industrial cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.
The station trained and hosted some of the RAF’s most notable pilots during the conflict, with squadrons flying aircraft including the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire and Boulton Paul Defiant. Many went on to distinguish themselves in major air campaigns across Britain and Europe.
A post-war home for innovation
After 1945, Church Fenton evolved to meet a new era of aviation. It became one of the first stations to receive the Gloster Meteor, Britain’s pioneering jet fighter, and later hosted a range of advanced training units.
Over the decades that followed, the airfield became synonymous with progress - housing both RAF Flying Training Command and RAF College of Air Training. Generations of pilots, both British and international, earned their wings here.
The end of an era and a new beginning
RAF operations at Church Fenton came to an end in 2013, marking the close of more than 75 years of continuous service. The site was sold the following year, with much of the original infrastructure preserved and reimagined for civilian use.
In 2015, a new chapter began as the site was officially relaunched as Leeds East Airport - a name that nods to both its heritage and its forward-looking future.
A landmark location reborn
Today, Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton is a thriving hub for aviation, film production, events and local enterprise. The same runways that once saw fighter jets take off now welcome private pilots, hobby flyers and visiting aircraft from across the UK, Europe and beyond - many dropping in to refuel, meet friends, or simply say a friendly Yorkshire hello. Alongside them, film crews and creative professionals bring new energy to the airfield, giving this historic site a fresh sense of purpose.
Its historic hangars have been carefully repurposed - now housing state-of-the-art production facilities, commercial storage and flexible event spaces. From private jets to major feature films, it’s become a destination defined by innovation and possibility.
From fighter planes to feature films
Few places capture the spirit of reinvention quite like Leeds East Airport. What began as a cornerstone of national defence has evolved into a centre of creativity, business and community life — where Yorkshire’s proud aviation heritage continues to take flight in new and inspiring ways.
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