Bournemouth | Posted on July 1st, 2026 | return to news

RAF aircraft to be stationed at Bournemouth Airport

The airport, which started life as RAF Hurn in 1931, is to accommodate military aircraft over the coming months.

Plane spotters will be in their element over the coming months as Bournemouth Airport is to accommodate aircraft from RAF Brize Norton while improvement works are taking place at its base in Oxfordshire.

It is one of a few airports and military airfields across the UK that is to give a temporary home to the aircraft.

This includes the RAF’s A400M Atlas and C-17 Globemaster fleets, which will operate mainly from MOD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, with Bournemouth Airport used when required.

Prestwick, East Midlands and Stansted airports are also being used for the RAF’s A330 Voyager fleet.

Steve Gill, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “Having started life as RAF Hurn 85 years ago, Bournemouth Airport is pleased to be supporting the Royal Air Force while these important works take place at RAF Brize Norton.

“Bournemouth Airport is well equipped to accommodate aircraft of this size and we’re proud to be able to play a small part in helping the RAF continue its vital operations during this period.

“These temporary movements will not impact our passenger services, and for aviation enthusiasts it will be a rare opportunity to see some impressive RAF aircraft visiting Bournemouth.”

The A400M Atlas is one of the RAF’s most versatile transport aircraft. It can carry 116 passengers, or nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or 66 stretchers, with a maximum payload of 37 tonnes.

The C-17 Globemaster is the RAF’s heavy-lift transport aircraft that can operate in support of combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. It specialises in outsized loads and is also the platform of choice for long-distance aeromedical evacuation flights.

The aircraft are expected to operate from Bournemouth on an occasional basis until the work at RAF Brize Norton is completed later this autumn.

RAF Brize Norton is the UK’s primary military air mobility hub, supporting the movement of personnel, equipment and humanitarian supplies across the globe.