Newtownards Airport

Newtownards, Ards and North Down, United Kingdom

Airports

small airport

Newtownards Airport

Newtownards, Ards and North Down, United Kingdom

Explore Newtownards, Ards and North Down city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

EGAD

ICAO

9 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Northern Ireland's premier light aviation and gliding hub.

Opened

1934

Location

Newtownards, United Kingdom

Newtownards Airport (ICAO: EGAD) is a small general aviation aerodrome located on the shores of Strangford Lough near Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland. It serves private pilots, flying clubs, and light aircraft operations rather than scheduled commercial airline services. The airport is home to the Ulster Flying Club and supports a range of activities including gliding, microlight flying, and private charter. Its scenic setting beside Strangford Lough makes it a notable landmark in the Ards Peninsula area. Newtownards has no IATA code and does not handle commercial passenger traffic. It remains an active hub for general aviation enthusiasts and training operations in the greater Belfast area.

Getting to & from

The airport is accessible primarily by private car, located approximately 15 kilometres east of Belfast city centre.

Notable facts

›Home to the Ulster Flying Club, one of Northern Ireland's longest-established flying clubs.
›Situated adjacent to Strangford Lough, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
›Supports gliding, microlight, and private light aircraft operations.
›Has no scheduled commercial airline services or IATA code.
›One of several general aviation aerodromes serving the greater Belfast region.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

A quiet gateway nestled beside the shores of Strangford Lough

Newtownards Airport, located on the eastern fringe of Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland, is a small general aviation aerodrome with a long history rooted in early Ulster aviation. Serving private pilots, flying clubs, and light aircraft operations, it plays a modest but meaningful role in the regional aviation community. The airport sits close to the scenic Ards Peninsula and the waters of Strangford Lough, making it a distinctive and picturesque airfield.

Terminals

General Aviation Terminal — A small single facility handling private and club aviation with basic passenger and administrative amenities.

Ground Transport

Private car or taxi from Newtownards town centre (approx. 2 km)
Local bus services connecting Newtownards to Belfast city centre
Car hire available in Newtownards town
Cycling routes accessible via surrounding roads

Nearby Hotels

Strangford Arms Hotel, Newtownards
Premier Inn Belfast East, Belfast
Holiday Inn Express Belfast City
Old Schoolhouse Inn, Comber

Dining

Dining options within the airfield itself are very limited, typically confined to a basic clubhouse facility used by the flying club. Newtownards town centre, a short drive away, offers a range of cafes, pubs, and restaurants serving traditional Ulster fare. The nearby Ards Peninsula also has several country pubs and seafood eateries worth exploring.

Traveller Tips

Check with the Ulster Flying Club for any access or visiting aircraft procedures before arrival.
The surrounding Ards Peninsula offers excellent scenic drives if you have time before or after your flight.
Weather on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland can change quickly — always verify local conditions with a pre-flight briefing.
Newtownards town centre is only a short taxi or bus ride away for accommodation, food, or onward connections.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

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Where

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City & Place Guide

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Encyclopaedia

Newtownards Aerodrome is a local airfield in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, 8.5 NM east of Belfast. It offers light aircraft flights, helicopter flights, microlight flights and flight simulator training. The airport also has an onsite restaurant.

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