Brighton City Airport Overview
Brighton City Airport, also known as Shoreham Airport (IATA: ESH), is a historic aviation hub located near Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, England. It serves as the gateway to Brighton, Worthing, and the South Coast region, primarily handling general aviation, flight training, and charter services. Established in 1910, it is recognized as one of the oldest operational airports in the world and is famed for its beautiful Art Deco terminal building that reflects the golden age of aviation.
Location and Accessibility
The airport lies around 10 km (6 miles) west of Brighton city centre and is easily accessible via road and rail. The A27 connects directly to the airport, while Shoreham-by-Sea railway station is just a short distance away, providing connections to London, Brighton, and Portsmouth.
Its location makes it an ideal base for private flyers and flying schools operating in southern England.
Facilities at Brighton City Airport
Brighton City Airport may be small compared to major commercial hubs, but it offers modern and essential facilities to pilots, students, and passengers.
Key amenities include:
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A main Art Deco terminal with visitor lounge and café
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Flight training schools offering PPL and CPL courses
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Private aircraft hangars and maintenance services
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Helicopter charter operations
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On-site restaurant and viewing area for aviation enthusiasts
The airport is also used for corporate and leisure flights, aerial photography, and charter air taxi services.
Airlines and Flight Operations
Currently, Brighton City Airport does not host scheduled commercial airlines. Instead, it caters mainly to:
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Private and charter flights
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Flying clubs and training schools
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Helicopter services
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Aerial filming and survey operations
The airport’s versatility and scenic coastal location make it a popular spot for flight training and scenic tours over the South Downs and English Channel.
Table: Brighton City Airport Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Brighton City Airport (Shoreham Airport) |
| IATA Code | ESH |
| ICAO Code | EGKA |
| Location | Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England |
| Distance from Brighton | Approximately 10 km |
| Established | 1910 |
| Type | Public / General Aviation |
| Runways | 3 (Grass and Asphalt) |
| Main Use | Private, Training, and Charter Flights |
| Terminal Style | Art Deco (Grade II Listed) |
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore numerous attractions near the airport:
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Brighton Beach and Pier – 20 minutes by car
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South Downs National Park – Ideal for hiking and nature walks
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Worthing Seafront – A nearby coastal town with cafes and gardens
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Shoreham Fort – A historic site near the River Adur
The airport’s proximity to Brighton makes it a great starting point for leisure trips along the southern coastline.
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| # | Airport Name | IATA Code | Country | Logo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Humberside Airport | HUY | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 2 | Teesside International | MME | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 3 | Cazombo Airport | CAV | Angola |
|
| 4 | Quatro De Fevereiro International Airport | LAD | Angola |
|
| 5 | Sharana Airstrip | OAS | Afghanistan |
|
| 6 | Brighton City | ESH | United Kingdom |
|
| 7 | Catumbela Airport | CBT | Angola |
|
| 8 | Bournemouth | BOH | United Kingdom |
|
| 9 | Zaranj Airport | ZAJ | Afghanistan |
|
| 10 | Manchester | MAN | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 11 | Kukës International Airport Zayed | KFZ | Albania |
|
| 12 | Inverness Airport | INV | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 13 | Bristol | BRS | United Kingdom |
|
| 14 | Albano Machado Airport | NOV | Angola |
|
| 15 | Coventry Airport Limited | CVT | United Kingdom |
|
| 16 | Cuito Cuanavale Airport | CTI | Angola |
|
| 17 | London Gatwick | LGW | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 18 | Andorra La Vella | ALV | Andorra |
|
| 19 | Ondjiva Pereira Airport | VPE | Angola |
|
| 20 | Cafunfo Airport | CFF | Angola |
|
| 21 | London Southend | SEN | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 22 | Dundo Airport | DUE | Angola |
|
| 23 | Wycombe Air Park | HYC | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 24 | Houari Boumediene Airport | ALG | Algeria |
|
| 25 | Ghazni Airport | GZI | Afghanistan |
|
| 26 | Khwahan Airport | KWH | Afghanistan |
|
| 27 | Penzance Heliport | PZE | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 28 | Jalalabad Airport | JAA | Afghanistan |
|
| 29 | Dundee | DND | United Kingdom |
|
| 30 | City Of Derry | LDY | United Kingdom |
|
| 31 | East Midlands | EMA | United Kingdom |
|
| 32 | Jamba Airport | JMB | Angola |
|
| 33 | Dubai International Airport | DXB | United Arab Emirates |
|
| 34 | Southampton | SOU | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 35 | Birmingham | BHX | United Kingdom |
|
| 36 | Norwich | NWI | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 37 | London City | LCY | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 38 | Lucapa Airport | LBZ | Angola |
|
| 39 | Cornwall Airport Newquay | NQY | United Kingdom |
|
| 40 | Guernsey | GCI | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 41 | Kuran Wa Munjan Airport | KUR | Afghanistan |
|
| 42 | Syunik Airport | YUK | Armenia |
|
| 43 | Cabinda Airport | CAB | Angola |
|
| 44 | Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport | HEA | Afghanistan | N/A |
| 45 | Shirak International Airport | LWN | Armenia |
|
| 46 | Jersey | JER | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 47 | Gardez Airport | GRG | Afghanistan |
|
| 48 | Wick John O'Groats | WIC | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 49 | Farah Airport | FAH | Afghanistan |
|
| 50 | Exeter | EXT | United Kingdom |
|
| 51 | Waco Kungo Airport | CEO | Angola |
|
| 52 | Alderney | ACI | United Kingdom |
|
| 53 | Nili Airport | NLI | Afghanistan |
|
| 54 | Lumbala Airport | GGC | Angola |
|
| 55 | London Stansted | STN | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 56 | V. C. Bird International Airport | ANU | Antigua And Barbuda |
|
| 57 | Malanje Airport | MEG | Angola |
|
| 58 | Soyo Airport | SZA | Angola |
|
| 59 | Liverpool John Lennon | LPL | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 60 | N'zeto Airport | ARZ | Angola |
|
| 61 | Chitato Airport | PGI | Angola |
|
| 62 | Ronaldsway | IOM | Isle Of Man | N/A |
| 63 | Farnborough | FAB | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 64 | Sheberghan Airport | SBH | Afghanistan | N/A |
| 65 | Saurimo Airport | VHC | Angola | N/A |
| 66 | Zvartnots International Airport | EVN | Armenia |
|
| 67 | Fayzabad Airport | FBD | Afghanistan |
|
| 68 | Leeds Bradford | LBA | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 69 | Maymana Airport | MMZ | Afghanistan |
|
| 70 | Tarinkot Airport | TII | Afghanistan |
|
| 71 | Benguela Airport | BUG | Angola |
|
| 72 | Sumburgh | LSI | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 73 | George Best Belfast City | BHD | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 74 | Heathrow | LHR | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 75 | Edinburgh | EDI | United Kingdom |
|
| 76 | Luau Airport | UAL | Angola | N/A |
| 77 | Oxford | OXF | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 78 | Nzagi Airport | NZA | Angola |
|
| 79 | Blackpool Airport | BLK | United Kingdom |
|
| 80 | Dubai Creek Seaplane Base (Heliport) | DCG | United Arab Emirates |
|
| 81 | Andorra–La Seu D'Urgell Airport | LEU | Andorra |
|
| 82 | Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central) | DWC | United Arab Emirates |
|
| 83 | Joaquim Kapango Airport | SVP | Angola |
|
| 84 | Menongue Airport | SPP | Angola |
|
| 85 | Porto Amboim Airport | PBN | Angola |
|
| 86 | Negage Airport | GXG | Angola |
|
| 87 | Vlora International Airport | VLO | Albania |
|
| 88 | Glasgow | GLA | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 89 | Lubango Airport | SDD | Angola |
|
| 90 | Bamyan Airport | BIN | Afghanistan |
|
| 91 | Manston International | MSE | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 92 | Cambridge City | CBG | United Kingdom |
|
| 93 | Taloqan Airport | TQN | Afghanistan |
|
| 94 | Sheghnan Airport | SGA | Afghanistan |
|
| 95 | Benbecula | BEB | United Kingdom |
|
| 96 | London Luton | LTN | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 97 | Urgun Airport | URN | Afghanistan |
|
| 98 | Kirkwall | KOI | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 99 | N'dalatando Airport | NDF | Angola |
|
| 100 | Bagram Air Base | OAI | Afghanistan |
|
| 101 | Burton–Nibbs International Airport | BBQ | Antigua And Barbuda |
|
| 102 | Carlisle Lake District | CAX | United Kingdom |
|
| 103 | Stornoway | SYY | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 104 | Newcastle International | NCL | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 105 | Land's End | LEQ | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 106 | Qala I Naw Airport | LQN | Afghanistan |
|
| 107 | Kabul International Airport | KBL | Afganistan |
|
| 108 | Khost International Airport | KHT | Afghanistan |
|
| 109 | Chaghcharan Airport | CCN | Afghanistan |
|
| 110 | Luena Airport | LUO | Angola |
|
| 111 | Cuango-Luzamba Airport | LZM | Angola |
|
| 112 | Glasgow Prestwick | PIK | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 113 | Uíge Airport | UGO | Angola |
|
| 114 | Welwitschia Mirabilis International Airport | MSZ | Angola |
|
| 115 | Sardeh Band Airport | SBF | Afghanistan |
|
| 116 | Darwaz Airport | DAZ | Afghanistan |
|
| 117 | Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza | TIA | Albania |
|
| 118 | Aberdeen International | ABZ | United Kingdom |
|
| 119 | Saint Mary's / Isles Of Scilly | ISC | United Kingdom | N/A |
| 120 | Uruzgan Airport | URZ | Afghanistan |
|
| 121 | Kapanda Airport | KNP | Angola |
|
| 122 | Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport | KDH | Afghanistan |
|
| 123 | Mawlānā Jalāl Ad-Din Muhammad Balkhī Intl Airport | MZR | Afghanistan |
|
| 124 | Belfast International | BFS | United Kingdom |
|
| 125 | Sumbe Airport | NDD | Angola |
|
| 126 | Kunduz Airport | UND | Afghanistan |
|
| 127 | Dirico Airport | DRC | Angola |
|
| 128 | Cardiff | CWL | United Kingdom |
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the IATA code of Brighton City Airport?
A1. The IATA code for Brighton City Airport is ESH.
Q2. Does Brighton City Airport operate commercial flights?
A2. No, it mainly handles private, charter, and training flights.
Q3. How far is Brighton City Airport from Brighton city centre?
A3. It is approximately 10 km (6 miles) west of Brighton.
Q4. Can I take flying lessons at Brighton City Airport?
A4. Yes, several flight schools operate from the airport offering pilot training.
Q5. What is special about Brighton City Airport?
A5. It’s one of the oldest operational airports in the world and features a beautiful Art Deco terminal built in the 1930s.