In addition to this de facto loss of facilities , the number of aerodromes in the UK have been in decline over the last 50 years , as a result of increasing urbanisation and the closure of airfields built during WWII . Alternative and more profitable uses for land can also lead to existing aerodromes being threatened with closure , for example North Weald , or actually being closed , as happened to Ipswich Airport. and Bristol Filton Airport . Referring to the importance of a " functioning national network of GA airfields " , especially where GA perform an air transport role , the CAA state that " there could be cause for concern if a significant further loss of airfields was to continue , especially if crucial nodes on the transport network was to be lost . "