Swansea Airport was built on what was originally common land and became operational on 15 June 1941 as RAF Fairwood Common. It was built as a day and night fighter station and was part of 10 Group RAF Fighter Command. The aerodrome became a sector station in October 1941, taking on the responsibility for the air defence of South and West Wales including shipping in the Bristol and St George’s Channels.

Hurricanes of 79 Sqn were the first to arrive at the new airfield. Bristol Beaufighters of No 600 Squadron were briefly here as well in June, soon to be replaced by Hurricanes of No 317 Squadron, and 504 Squadron soon joined them.

No 125 Squadron became a fairly long-term resident from September 1941 to April 1943 initially operating Boulton Paul Defiant night fighters before switching to Beaufighters in the early months of 1942.

The aerodrome fulfilled a variety of military roles during the Second World War, with the addition of an Armament Practice Camp in October 1943 which expanded into an Armament Practice Station in July 1945 following which it went into ‘care and maintenance’ in October 1946. The airfield was finally decommissioned by the RAF in spring 1949.

Private flying began in July 1949 with the formation of Swansea Flying Club at the renamed Fairwood Common Airfield. However, it was 1957 before Swansea Corporation allowed Cambrian Airways to run the airport for them on a commercial basis and it was renamed Swansea Airport. It was officially opened on 1 June 1957 with Cambrian Airways inaugural flight arriving from Jersey. Over the coming years, a variety of airlines operated from the airport with Cambrian Airways operating services to the Channel Isles and Morton Air Services operated a service to Gatwick. During the 1970s and 1980s, charter flights continued to operate. Since then Swansea Airport has continued to evolve and develop with flying training, charters and privately owned aircraft all enjoying the facilities.

Swansea airport is only 15 minutes from Swansea city centre and is easily accessible from the M4. Swansea railway station is only a 20 minute taxi ride away from the airport.