BAE Systems is to close the historic Filton airfield at the end of next year, after a review concluded that it had no long-term economic prospects.
The airfield will shut on 31 December 2012, says BAE.
Filton has long been associated with the UK aerospace industry and its airport is used for shuttle flights, operated by OLT, to transport Airbus personnel to Toulouse and other plants used by the airframer.
"This decision has been taken following a long review of the airfield's commercial and economic viability," says BAE Systems aviation services director Andrew Cheesman.
He adds that the company is still in discussions with the local authority over future plans, and BAE says it will "continue to discuss how users' requirements can be met in preparation for the closure".
"We recognise the importance of Filton airfield to the local residential and business community and understand the concerns its closure may have," says Cheesman.
Filton's member of Parliament, Jack Lopresti, says Airbus and BAE have assured him that they will have "a range of effective mitigation measures" in place to enable work at Filton to continue "without any major disruption".
But he says the airfield - notably used during the development of the BAC-Aerospatiale Concorde - is "a huge part of our aviation history" and that he is "disappointed" by the decision.
While fewer than 20 people will immediately be affected by the closure, Lopresti says that the priority is to ensure the decision "does not have an adverse effect on the local economy" and the southwestern UK's position within the country's aviation industry.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
