British Civil Aviation in 1959

5 January
The Fairey Rotodyne, a compound helicopter
of unprecedented size, sets a convertiplane (an aircraft that can land and take off vertically) speed record of 307kph (190mph) at a 100 kilometre closed circuit.

1 June
The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) introduces de Havilland Comet 4s on its London to Singapore route.

30 September
After 1945, the introduction of larger airliners and their requirement for longer, paved runways, leads to the closure of Croydon Airport. By this time, London's new Heathrow Airport has already become established.

1 November
The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) introduces the de Havilland Comet 4 on its London to Sydney route.