VolkerFitzpatrick begin major upgrade works at RAF Coningsby airfield
A £28 million project to upgrade the airfield at RAF Coningsby is now under way, supporting the station's vital role in defending UK airspace around the clock.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has contracted VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver improvements to the Station’s Air Operating Surfaces, including the airfield’s taxiways and apron areas. Aecom will join the project as Technical Services Provider.
RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations which protect UK airspace, with pilots and engineers on standby 24 hours a day. The Station hosts two frontline combat-ready squadrons, 3 Squadron and 11 Squadron, as well as 29 Squadron, which trains the next generation of Typhoon pilots.
In a unique challenge, Coningsby’s role as a QRA station means its Typhoons must be ready to launch at all times, meaning all construction works will have to be carefully planned around the airfield’s 24-hour alert commitment.
“We are proud to play a key role in delivering these vital upgrades at RAF Coningsby. This investment strengthens one of the UK’s most strategically important air stations, ensuring that its teams can continue to protect our airspace around the clock.”
Keith Maplethorpe Operations Director
Dan Wilmott, DIO Project Manager, said: "This is an important investment in one of the UK's most operationally significant air stations. RAF Coningsby's role in defending UK airspace never stops, so delivering these improvements while maintaining the constant readiness of the Quick Reaction Alert has required careful planning.
"We're proud to be supporting the personnel at Coningsby with upgraded facilities that will serve the station for years to come."
The project is expected to be completed in October 2026.
