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Press Release

12 August 2025

Inside Solent Airport: The evolution of Daedalus

Solent Airport at Daedalus has been the subject of a mini documentary on aviation history in the Meridian region, filmed for ITV News.

The story begins with the military heritage of HMS Daedalus (now Solent Airport), the sale of the site to Fareham Borough Council ten years ago for £1, and leads up to Daedalus today, home to businesses primarily linked to aviation, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing based in new premises across Faraday Business Park and Fareham Innovation Centre.

There is also a focus on the next generation of engineers and innovators at Daedalus with South Hampshire College Group’s CEMAST campus being one of the only centres on the south coast which offers such a high level of training.

Since 2015, the Council has worked on delivering its vision for Daedalus to become a premier location for aviation, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing businesses, creating many skilled employment opportunities for local people, underpinned by a vibrant and sustainable airfield. Solent Airport currently hosts up to 30,000 flight movements each year –an incredible transformation over such a short period of time – and there are now hundreds of jobs onsite with many more to come following Eaton’s decision to move to Daedalus from its existing base in Fareham.

The Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Simon Martin said: “I am delighted that Solent Airport and the wider Daedalus site have been highlighted in this series featured by ITV. Daedalus is not only loved by local people for its history and heritage, but it has also become a fantastic success story for the Borough, since the Council purchased the site for £1 back in 2015. The Council’s role is to improve the local area as well as provide jobs and this site does both in abundance. Daedalus is also constantly evolving so, while its history is protected, its future is secured.”

You can view the full feature on ITVX under the ‘News’ channel, or on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqK_LRhwZno.

Find out more about Daedalus at www.fareham.gov.uk/daedalus.

Solent Airport at Daedalus is a key project set out in Priority Four of the Council’s Corporate Strategy: promote economic development.

ENDS