Leeds East Airport
Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Leeds East Airport
Former RAF station repurposed as a general aviation airfield.
- ›Occupies the former RAF Church Fenton site, which opened as a military airfield in the 1930s.
- ›RAF Church Fenton served as a fighter station during the Second World War.
- ›The site has been rebranded as Leeds East Airport to reflect its civilian general aviation role.
- ›No scheduled commercial passenger flights operate from this aerodrome.
- ›The airfield retains original infrastructure from its RAF era.
Leeds East Airport, formerly RAF Church Fenton, is a small general aviation aerodrome situated near Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, England. Originally a Royal Air Force station with roots dating back to the 1930s, the site transitioned to civilian use and now serves private pilots, flying clubs, and light aircraft operations. It plays a niche role in the regional aviation landscape, distinct from the major commercial hub of Leeds Bradford Airport to the northwest.
- General Aviation Terminal — A modest facility serving private and light aircraft arrivals and departures with basic ground handling.
- Private car or pre-arranged taxi from Tadcaster or surrounding villages
- Car rental by prior arrangement with local operators
- Local bus services connecting Tadcaster to Leeds and York
- The Falcon Hotel, Tadcaster
- Hazlewood Castle Hotel, Aberford
- Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth
- Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel
On-site catering at Leeds East is minimal, typically limited to a small clubhouse facility serving refreshments for pilots and visitors. Tadcaster town centre, a short drive away, offers pubs and cafes, and the nearby A64 corridor provides access to a wider range of restaurants. York, approximately 10 miles east, offers extensive dining options for those travelling further afield.
- This is a general aviation aerodrome — confirm operational hours and PPR (Prior Permission Required) before visiting.
- If travelling to Leeds or Bradford for commercial flights, use Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) instead.
- York is a nearby historic city worth visiting if you have time before or after your flight.
- Fuel availability and handling services should be confirmed in advance with the aerodrome operator.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Airlines serving this airport
No scheduled airline data available.
Routes
No route data available.
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via Leeds East Airport? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for United Kingdom from official government sources.
Leeds East Airport Church Fenton, formerly RAF Church Fenton, is an airport and former Royal Air Force station located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) south-east of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England and 6.3 miles (10.1 km) north-west of Selby, North Yorkshire, near the village of Church Fenton. The airport has had a licensing application from the UK Civil Aviation Authority rejected. This led to the scrapping of plans to allow regular scheduled passenger flights and charter flights to various European destinations. The airport has subsequently been awarded an operating licence for private use.
Read full article on Wikipedia
Translate