Cornwall Newquay Airport (NQY)
Cornwall Newquay Airport (NQY) is the main airport for the far South West of England, handling around 500,000 passengers per year. Built on the site of the former RAF St Mawgan base, it sits 5 miles north-east of Newquay, the surf capital of the UK. The airport is the only one in Cornwall and serves as a vital transport link for a county otherwise dependent on long road and rail journeys.
easyJet is the dominant carrier, operating seasonal and year-round services to Manchester, London Gatwick, Bristol and Birmingham. Loganair connects NQY to Exeter and the Isles of Scilly — the latter being the only practical way to reach Scilly without a lengthy ferry. Eastern Airways also operates selected routes.
The airport is small and deliberately unpretentious — a single compact terminal means fast security and a low-stress departure experience. For surfers, families heading to Cornwall's beaches, and travellers from the Midlands or North, it offers a genuine alternative to a four-hour drive down the A30.
Single terminal airport
⚠️ NQY is a small airport — some routes operate seasonally. Always confirm your flight is running before travel.
Most popular routes
Cornwall Newquay Airport Terminal
NQY operates a single compact terminal building. All airlines check in, depart, and arrive from the same building. Security is generally quick and the relaxed atmosphere is one of the airport's main selling points versus larger hubs.
| Check-in desks | Open-plan hall · easyJet, Loganair, Eastern Airways |
| Security | Single lane · typically 10–20 min · faster than major airports |
| Departure lounge | Airside cafe and bar · limited retail · free Wi-Fi |
| Arrivals | Ground floor · bag reclaim · car hire desks |
| Car hire | Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz on-site at terminal |
| Lounge | No dedicated airport lounge at NQY |
Transport to Cornwall Newquay Airport
| Bus 556 to Newquay | ~20 min · approx £3 · Newquay bus station stop |
| Taxi to Newquay town | ~15 min · approx £10–15 |
| Taxi to Truro | ~35 min · approx £30–35 |
| Car hire (recommended) | Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz on-site |
| Drive from London | ~4.5–5 hrs via M5/A30 |
| Drive from Newquay | 5 miles NE · ~15 min |
| Train (nearest station) | Newquay station — branch line from Par (GWR) — no direct airport service |
Parking options at NQY
NQY is a small airport with limited parking. Pre-book online — spaces sell out quickly in summer peak season.
Airlines flying from Cornwall Newquay
⚠️ Many NQY routes operate on a summer-only schedule. Check airline websites for current winter availability before booking.
Cornwall Newquay Airport FAQs
The airport is 5 miles north-east of Newquay town centre, situated on the former RAF St Mawgan base. Bus 556 runs between the airport and Newquay in around 20 minutes for about £3. A taxi costs £10–15. There is no direct train link to the airport.
Watergate Bay is just 3 miles from the airport — a short taxi ride of around £8. Fistral Beach and central Newquay beaches are approximately 20–25 minutes by taxi (£12–15). Car hire at the terminal is the most flexible option for exploring Cornwall's coast.
From London, the drive to Cornwall is 4.5–5+ hours on the A30 or via the M5. Flying with easyJet from Gatwick takes about an hour in the air, but add check-in time and you need a car on arrival, so it's marginal for a short stay. For travellers from Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh the time saving is significant and flying makes clear sense.
easyJet is the main carrier, serving Manchester, London Gatwick, Bristol and Birmingham. Loganair operates to Exeter and the Isles of Scilly. Eastern Airways also flies selected routes. The airport's route network is smaller than major UK airports — check schedules carefully.
Yes, significantly. Many easyJet routes operate from around March or April through to October, then pause or reduce frequency in winter. The Loganair Isles of Scilly route is year-round as it is a lifeline service. Always check the latest schedule — flying in January or February is possible on some routes but options are limited.
No. NQY has no direct rail link. Newquay town has a railway station (GWR branch line from Par), but that is 5 miles from the airport. From Newquay station you'd need to take the 556 bus or a taxi to the airport. Car hire or a pre-booked taxi is the most practical option.
Newquay Airport offers Short Stay and Long Stay parking. The airport is compact so all car parks are close to the terminal. Spaces book up fast in summer — pre-book online to guarantee a space and save on walk-up prices.
No. Cornwall Newquay Airport does not have a dedicated departure lounge for paying passengers. There is an airside cafe and bar in the departure area. Given the airport's small size and typically short wait times, this is rarely a problem for most travellers.