AN AIRFIELD in Hampshire is opening up for aviation investment after being granted a flight licence.

Fareham Council has invested £1.5 million into the airfield at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Lee-on-the-Solent, which has earned a Civil Aviation Authority aerodrome licence.

Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Council, hailed the licence as a step forward in the progression of the site.

He said: “We have been working closely with the Homes and Communities Agency to ensure the continued growth and viability of the airfield.

“This is another important step in opening up the airfield to a greater variety of aircraft and business opportunities and I would like to thank the HCA and the airfield manager RCAM for the work they put in towards getting this licence for us.

“The larger business and corporate aircraft that we can now attract will certainly assist in boosting employment opportunities for those companies maintaining such planes.”

Paul Rankin from Regional and City Airport (RCA) said: “The ongoing development in the operational team’s capability and competencies and the airfield movements, including the new runway, will ensure that Daedalus Airfield is the preferred destination and base for general and corporate aviation in the south of England.”