Farnborough Airport has opened Domus III, a 175,000sq ft hangar facility that sets a new benchmark in aviation infrastructure with sustainability at the very heart of its modern and progressive design.

In August 2022, Farnborough embarked on a bold $70 million (£55 million) investment programme to significantly enhance its facilities and infrastructure by developing a striking 300 metres long, four-bay, hangar facility, increasing the airport's overall hangar capacity by over 70 per cent. The project has been one of the largest private inward investments into the local area for many years, further demonstrating Farnborough's pivotal role as a major employer and economic growth engine within the region.

The development was conceived in response to growing customer demand for premium hangar space, and 18 months after breaking ground Domus III has been delivered on time and within budget. The development also includes increased apron space, assisting the airport's screening and parking requirements.

CEO Simon Geere comments: “Domus III represents a monumental leap forward in aviation hangar technology, setting new standards in the industry with a facility that not only cements Farnborough Airport's position as London and the South East's premier hub for air connectivity, but also reflects our commitment to drive environmental performance across every part of our business. It is an incredibly proud moment for us and marks an extraordinary milestone in the history of the airport and the local area. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will have on attracting increased economic activity to the region.”

Domus III is centrally located in a prime position adjacent to the airport's two main taxiways, complementing the airport's existing award-winning architecture, and has the flexibility to accommodate several large aircraft such as the Global 7500 and the next generation of business jets including the Dassault Falcon 10X and Gulfstream G700.

The design incorporates several sustainable features, including a fully intelligent lighting system that incorporates daylight dimming to ensure the airport makes the most and best efficient use of electricity onsite, and translucent automated doors that stretch the entire length of the building, optimising natural light inside the hangar and reducing lighting usage. The large unhindered access provided by the door design improves aircraft manoeuvrability, helping to mitigate unnecessary emissions from aircraft handling activities. Other sustainable features include a 280m long symphonic rainwater harvesting system, eco-friendly heating systems and a fully integrated building control and energy monitoring system to minimise operational and in-use energy consumption.