RAF's largest base to close for 'essential' works

2 hours ago

Ethan GudgeSouth of England

News image — Brize Norton is home to the RAF's Air Mobility Force and more than 5000 personnel

PA Media The aircrew of a Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft, which is due to take part in the Royal Air Force flypast on May 5, during events marking the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, check the aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. — Brize Norton is home to the RAF's Air Mobility Force and more than 5000 personnel

The RAF's largest base is set to temporarily relocate all of its operations whilst work to modernise its airfield takes place.

RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, is set to undergo "essential" resurfacing and improvement works which the base said would "ensure the base remains fully operational and fit for the decades to come".

The site is home to about 5800 service personnel and the RAF's Air Mobility Force - with all flights set be relocated to alternative locations around the UK from July.

The air force stressed that the UK's air military capability would not be "diminished" by the works, with its teams "maintaining full operational tempo throughout".

It said the Atlas and Globemaster fleets stationed at Brize would operate out of the Ministry of Defence's Boscombe Down site during the project.

They will also occasionally use Bournemouth Airport, in Dorset.

Meanwhile, the A330 Voyager fleet will fly out of Prestwick, East Midlands and Stansted airports.

The aircraft are all expected to return to Brize Norton in November, once the resurfacing work is complete.

Getty Images An aerial view of RAF Brize Norton shows the full length of the main runway, taxiways and operational hardstanding, highlighting the scale of the airfield and its role as the UK's principal hub for strategic airlift, aerial refuelling and global military logistics, photographed from approximately 1,500 feet on September 25, 2025 in Oxfordshire, England. — Brize Norton is the RAF's largest base

The RAF said the works at Brize Norton were "part of a long-term investment in defence infrastructure".

It said the project "directly supports the UK's ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats and crises anywhere in the world".

"The airfield improvement works are part of a wider programme to modernise RAF Brize Norton, ensuring it continues to serve as a world-class hub for UK air mobility for decades to come."

"This is defence delivering value for money through transformation and infrastructure investment," it said.

The air force added that there was "no cause for public concern" during the works, but that those living near RAF Brize Norton may notice some "increased activity" ahead of and during the closure.