Croydon Airport, a historic UK airport that was once the nation's primary international gateway and the birthplace of the 'Mayday' emergency call, has reopened to the public after being abandoned for 67 years. The airport, which permanently closed in 1959 due to its inability to accommodate larger aircraft, has now been transformed into a museum.
A New Chapter for Croydon Airport
Last month, Croydon Airport welcomed visitors for the first time as a historic site. The original terminal has been preserved and is now open for exploration on the first Sunday of every month. The airport first opened its doors in 1920 and quickly became a crucial hub for aviation following World War I.
The Birthplace of 'Mayday'
Croydon Airport holds a unique place in aviation history as the birthplace of the internationally recognized distress call 'Mayday'. In 1923, F.S. Mockford, the Senior Radio Officer at Croydon, devised the phrase 'Mayday, Mayday, Mayday' as the phonetic equivalent of the French term 'm'aidez', meaning 'help me'. The call was subsequently approved by the Air Ministry as the standard radio procedure for emergencies.
Historic Croydon Airport explained: 'Mayday, Mayday, Mayday was subsequently approved by the Air Ministry as the required radio procedure to be used in an emergency. In 1924, the UK promulgated its approval and use through the publication of The Air Pilot: Great Britain. Adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington in 1927, Mayday became the international standard distress phrase. The Mayday distress call still saves lives today.'
Why Did Croydon Airport Close?
The airport ceased operations in September 1959, with the final flight departing from the historic terminal. The closure was driven by expansion constraints, as the airport could not be modified to handle larger, modern aircraft that were becoming the norm in commercial aviation.
Visitor Experiences
On Tripadvisor, recent visitors have shared their positive experiences. One remarked: 'Fascinating trip through the history of passenger aviation!' Another commented: 'I have lived in the area all my life and even used to go to Purley Way Lido across the way from the airport as a child, and didn't know the significance of Croydon Airport. I was amazed how well preserved the building was, and didn't even know it had a control tower. If you are into aviation or history, it is a must-see.'
The reopening of Croydon Airport as a museum offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the early days of aviation, including the origins of the life-saving 'Mayday' call.
