RAF Northolt (IATA: NHT, ICAO: EGWU) is a Royal Air Force station in the London borough of Hillingdon, in west London, England. Approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of London Heathrow Airport, it also handles a large number of civilian flights. Although the aerodrome is closer to Ruislip than to Northolt, the area was known as Northolt when the airfield was built.

Opened in May 1915 for aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps, it was an active base for RAF and Polish Air Force squadrons during World War II, became a significant civilian airport soon afterwards, and subsequently reverted to military use upon the opening of Heathrow.

Communications aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the United States Air Forces in Europe, the United States Navy, and the Arme de l'Air were based there in the 1950 - 1980 period. Today, it is an important RAF airfield and the home of 32 (The Royal) Squadron. Since about 1980 movements of privately owned aircraft, mainly corporate jets, have outnumbered military flights. It is also home to the Britten-Norman Islander aircraft of the Northolt Station Flight.

tags: london, military

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