COTSWOLD Airport announced that they will be offering passenger flights in WW2 Spitfire planes this summer.

Several spitfire planes will be available to book year round from June onwards.

The iconic Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II.

Many variants of the Spitfire were built, from the Mk 1 to the Rolls-Royce Griffon-engined Mk 24 using several wing configurations and guns.

FlyaSpitfire.com are currently based in RAF Bigginhill, near Kent, but have decided to expand this once in a lifetime opportunity to the West of England.

Maintenance units and Air Transport Auxiliary operations used to based at the former RAF Kemble (now Cotswold Airport) in the 1940’s, so this expansion is fitting to the airport's rich history. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: One of the SpitfiresOne of the Spitfires (Image: FlyaSpitfire.com)

The airport will be offering flights in the Spitfire over the Cotswolds, Severn Estuary, North Devon coast and the Isle of Wight.

Peter Monk, managing director of FlyaSpitfire.com and the Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Limited said: “This new location makes it easy for anyone to the West of London, the Midlands and South West England to enjoy a flight in a genuine WWII era Spitfire.

"You can Fly a Spitfire over some of the most picturesque countryside that the UK has to offer. 

"There’s a proud history of aviation here and the Cotswold Airport team are at the forefront of sustainable aviation technology.”

In 2021 Cotswold Airport hosted the world's first flight using 100% synthetic fuel and a test flight of the world's largest aircraft powered by a hydrogen-electric engine in January.

Peter added: “Sustainable aviation technologies like these will ensure we can continue to fly Spitfires and other historic aircraft for generations to come.”

Suzannah Harvey, CEO of Cotswold Airport, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome FlyaSpitfire.com to Cotswold Airport and this is the fruition of four years of planning and talks. 

"They will be a most welcomed addition to our historic aircraft already on display at Cotswold Airport and providing incredible experiences for aviation enthusiasts."