What Solent Airport Daedalus does

Solent Airport Daedalus is a CAA Licensed Aerodrome located in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, on the south coast of England. Established as an aviation site in 1917, the airport is currently owned by Fareham Borough Council and operated by EGHF Ltd under a public infrastructure mandate. It functions as a general aviation hub distinguished by slot-free access, Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS), Rescue and Fire Fighting Services at Category A2, and Port of Entry status with Border Force certification for flights originating from the EU and Channel Islands. The facility hosts an ecosystem of aviation businesses including Britten-Norman (sub-regional aircraft manufacturer with final assembly line), AT Aviation (aircraft sales and brokerage), Bournemouth Avionics, Echo 4 (Part-CAO maintenance), Transair (UK pilot equipment distribution), and flight training operators.

The airport's core technology and infrastructure comprise the licensed aerodrome facility, AFIS unit providing flight information to traffic within and in the vicinity of the ATZ, fuel services for JETA1 and AVGAS, managed hangarage and aircraft parking, customs and immigration clearance, and an executive travel division with corporate lounge facilities. Additional offerings include weather observation services (METAR/plain text), cafe and viewing area, filming and location hire, and the Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone for commercial tenants. The airport operates seven days a week with extended daylight hours available on request, and serves HM Coastguard helicopter operations alongside civilian general aviation.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based landing fees (with optional monthly landing cards for resident aircraft), usage-based fuel services, subscription/recurring hangarage and parking fees, professional services for ground handling and RFFS, executive travel arrangements, and ancillary services including filming hire and restaurant facilities. Customer segments span general aviation pilots and operators, corporate and executive travelers, aviation business tenants (manufacturing, MRO, avionics, training, distribution), and emergency/government services. The airport is accessed via Prior Permission Required (PPR) online submissions for all aircraft and visitors.

Name

Solent Airport Daedalus

Legal name

EGHF Ltd

Website

https://solentairport.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solent Airport Daedalus is a CAA Licensed Aerodrome in Hampshire, UK, owned by Fareham Borough Council and operated by EGHF Ltd. It provides slot-free general aviation access, Port of Entry customs services, hangarage, fueling, and hosts aircraft manufacturing, MRO, and flight training tenants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Aviation Airport Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• General aviation airport
• Aircraft hangarage parking
• Executive air travel
• Aviation refueling services
• Flight information services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lee-on-the-Solent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Landing Fees: Charges for aircraft landings at the airport. Landing cards are available for pre-purchase for based non-commercial operators on a calendar month basis.
2. Aircraft Parking and Hangarage: GA aircraft parking fees, premium overnight hard stand parking, and long-term hangarage for based aircraft. Managed hangarage available at competitive rates.
3. Fuel Services: JETA1 and AVGAS fuel services available 0930(L) to 30 minutes prior to closure.
4. Ground Handling: Comprehensive ground handling services for visiting aircraft, including crew facilities and customs/immigration clearance.
5. Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS): RFF Category A2 with Category A3 accepted under remission. Out of hours movement requests available including fire cover.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Solent Airport Daedalus is a CAA Licensed Aerodrome providing slot-free General Aviation access, Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS), Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS CAT A2), JETA1/AVGAS refueling, managed aircraft hangarage and parking, ground handling, customs and immigration clearance, and corporate executive travel facilities. The airport operates as a Port of Entry for international flights and supports on-site aviation tenants including flight schools, aircraft manufacturers, and maintenance providers.

Product overview

Solent Airport Daedalus is a CAA Licensed Aerodrome operated by EGHF Ltd under Fareham Borough Council ownership. The airport provides a unified suite of General Aviation services centered on its core aerodrome operations (AFIS, RFFS CAT A2, refuelling, ground handling, and customs/immigration). Supporting infrastructure includes managed aircraft hangarage and parking, an executive travel division with corporate lounge facilities, and a pilot training ecosystem featuring multiple on-site flight schools and aviation service providers (AT Aviation for aircraft brokerage, Bournemouth Avionics for maintenance, Britten-Norman for aircraft manufacturing, Echo 4 for Part-CAO maintenance, and Transair for pilot equipment). Additional offerings encompass a cafe with aircraft viewing area, filming and location hire services, and the Daedalus Business and Enterprise Zone for commercial tenants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Aviation Aerodrome Operations CAA Licensed Aerodrome providing Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) with slot-free access for pilots, supporting general aviation flights, flight training, and corporate aviation operations.
• Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services (RFFS) Mandatory rescue and fire-fighting services for aircraft operating at the airport, operating to RFF Category A2 with RFF Category A3 accepted under remission.
• Refuelling Services JETA1 and AVGAS aviation fuel services available to aircraft operators, with operating hours from 0930(L) to 30 minutes prior to aerodrome closure.
• Aircraft Hangarage and Parking Managed hangarage and aircraft parking services supporting business and general aviation, including long-term hangarage for based aircraft, short-term ad-hoc hangar use, and grass and hard stand parking contracts.
• Customs and Immigration Services Customs and immigration clearance services for international flights originating from the EU and Channel Islands, enabled by the airport's Border Force Certificate of Agreement and Port of Entry status.
• Executive Travel and Corporate Lounge Executive travel services with corporate lounge facilities offering HD-TV, free WIFI, and complimentary refreshments. Specialist catering services can be arranged. The airport arranges helicopter transfers and corporate travel experiences.
• Filming and Location Hire Film production and location hire services offered to movie, television, and commercial production companies for shoots at the airport facility.
• Daedalus Business and Enterprise Zone Commercial space and business facilities offered within the Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone, operated in conjunction with Fareham Borough Council to support local economic development.
• Cafe and Viewing Area Restaurant and visitor viewing area allowing the public to watch aircraft operations at the airport.

Quantifiable outcome

• Noise exposure at 51 dB, well within Government set guidelines of 63 dB
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fareham Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolent Airport Daedalus is proudly owned by Fareham Borough Council. The council hosts the Solent Airport Daedalus Consultative Committee and maintains governance oversight. The airport is integral to the wider Fareham area economic and business development strategy, including the Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone.
• EGHF LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEGHF Ltd is the operating company for Solent Airport Daedalus. The company manages day-to-day airport operations, finance (Account No: 44588541, Sort Code: 40-35-09), and all commercial activities.
• 2Excel AviationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter operator that Solent Airport has worked with to ensure coordinated and seamless executive travel experiences. Airport does not specifically endorse any specific operator.
• Atlas HelicoptersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelicopter operator providing services through Solent Airport. Part of the coordinated executive travel network.
• AvitriusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation services provider operating through Solent Airport as part of the executive operator network.
• Castle AirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter operator partnered with Solent Airport for executive travel services.
• Elite HelicoptersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelicopter operator providing services through Solent Airport.
• Helicopter ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelicopter services provider operating at Solent Airport.
• JetflyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter and aviation services provider at Solent Airport.
• PDG Aviation ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation services provider partnered with Solent Airport.
• Fareham College (CEMAST Engineering Campus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong links established with local schools and colleges. Participation in career open days and facilitation of school tours. Airport aims to run a graduate trainee scheme for young people to realize ambitions in aviation industry.
• ICG (Website Developer)minorOthersThird-party website development partner. The website credits ICG for website development services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• London Biggin Hill Airport: London-area dedicated business aviation airport serving corporate jets, helicopters, and GA with FBO services and hangarage. Direct peer to Solent on the private aviation / FBO axis, though more London-centric and slot-coordinated.
• Sywell Aerodrome: Northamptonshire GA aerodrome serving private aviation, flight training, and aircraft maintenance. Comparable regional GA model to Solent with similar fixed-base services.
• Blackbushe Airport: North Hampshire GA aerodrome serving business aviation, flight training, and recreational flying. Comparable model to Solent: CAA-licensed, slot-flexible, MRO and training tenants on site.
• Farnborough Airport: UK's premier dedicated business aviation airport located in Hampshire, offering FBO, hangarage, and handling to corporate and private aviation. Highly comparable to Solent as a southern England aerodrome serving executive travel and GA, though positioned at a premium tier with slot constraints and significantly larger scale.
• Shoreham Airport (Brighton City Airport): South Coast England aerodrome serving GA, flight training, and corporate aviation near Brighton. Closest direct competitor to Solent on geography and customer mix.
• Cranfield Airport: Bedfordshire aerodrome co-located with Cranfield University's aerospace research and enterprise activity. Comparable to Solent as a GA + enterprise/research hub model with on-site aviation services tenants.
• Oxford (Kidlington) Airport: Major UK GA hub serving Oxford and London demand, with extensive flight training, maintenance, and business aviation services. Comparable model to Solent: CAA-licensed aerodrome, flight schools, MRO tenants, and corporate GA, but with stronger Thames Valley catchment.
• Goodwood Aerodrome: West Sussex aerodrome offering GA, flight training, and corporate aviation services with premium hospitality positioning. Comparable to Solent as a regional private-aviation field with executive travel appeal.

Regional players

• Guernsey Airport: Channel Islands public airport with GA and scheduled services, and EU border force clearance capability. Comparable to Solent on Port-of-Entry status and EU/Channel Islands traffic, though serves a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Bournemouth Airport: South Coast regional airport offering scheduled commercial, charter, and GA services. Competitor for transient GA traffic in Solent's catchment and home to several aviation MRO operators that overlap with Solent tenants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SolentAirport
• Facebookfacebook.com/solentairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solent-airport-daedalus
• Instagraminstagram.com/solent_airport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solent Airport Daedalus