Hyde Park Airport Proposal Revived in 1970s Critique
A century ago, a plan to build an aerodrome in Hyde Park was considered for business convenience, later resurfacing as a satirical point.
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A proposal to construct an aerodrome in Hyde Park was put forward in 1926, aiming to address the inconvenience of London's then-sole international airport at Croydon. Lord Apsley MP suggested that a Hyde Park location would bring business travellers closer to their offices and provide a significant boost to the light airplane industry. He argued that such a facility would not negatively impact the park's amenities.
Lord Apsley communicated his ideas to the Daily Express, stating that a central aerodrome would save considerable time lost in travel at both ends of a flight. He also envisioned small planes operating from Hyde Park to connect with services at Croydon, thereby avoiding lengthy road journeys. A further suggestion was that private aircraft owners might land at Hyde Park, fold their wings, and tow their planes home for garage storage.
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International Interest and Local Objections
The concept of a Hyde Park airport gained traction internationally, being renewed during the 1928 International Air Conference in Berlin. At the conference, a UK Air Vice-Marshal suggested a Hyde Park aerodrome, believing the public would appreciate comfortable seating to watch aircraft. However, alternative proposals emerged, including one to incorporate an aerodrome on the roof of a rebuilt Waterloo station. Critics also pointed out that Hyde Park's location was not analogous to Berlin's Tempelhof airport in terms of distance from the city centre.
While the primary proposal aimed to prevent future skyscrapers that might obstruct airport development, Hyde Park has witnessed aircraft-related events. In 1915, the Royal Naval Air Service suggested its use as an emergency landing site. More concretely, an RAF biplane made an emergency landing in December 1933 due to engine trouble. Additionally, in August 1930, aviator Amy Johnson was presented with a new aeroplane in Hyde Park during an event attended by over 100,000 people, with the aircraft assembled on-site by the De Haviland company.
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Satirical Resurgence
The idea of an airport in Hyde Park resurfaced in 1970, not as a serious proposal, but as a semi-satirical critique of government methods for calculating cost-benefit analyses for infrastructure projects. The renewed discussion highlighted how, by certain analytical standards, an airport in Hyde Park could appear to be a logical development.
Questions this report answers
+When was the idea of an airport in Hyde Park first proposed?
The proposal to build an aerodrome in Hyde Park was first reported in October 1926. Lord Apsley MP suggested it would save business travellers time and stimulate the light airplane industry.
+Why was a Hyde Park airport considered in the 1920s?
The primary reason was the perceived inconvenience of Croydon Airport, London's main international airport at the time. A Hyde Park location was seen as more central for business travellers and beneficial for the aviation sector.
+Did an airport ever operate in Hyde Park?
No, an airport never operated in Hyde Park. While there were proposals and suggestions, including for emergency landings, and aircraft-related events occurred there, a permanent aerodrome was not built.
+How did the Hyde Park airport idea reappear later?
The concept was revisited in 1970, but as a satirical commentary. It was used to critique the way government bodies calculated cost-benefit analyses for infrastructure projects, suggesting that even such an improbable scheme could be justified by certain methods.
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