Secondarily, it served as a Royal Air Force V bomber dispersal airfield, more recently used for military weapons training.

It was reported in February 2008 that Welsh Ministers had awarded preferred bidder status for a 125-year lease to the operators of Kemble Airport near Cirencester.

[36][37] In May 2008, the Snowdonia Society, the Brecon Beacons Park Society and the Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park formed an alliance against the development of a new civilian airport at the site without a full public debate "best achieved by making an application for planning permission".

A paper-based petition in favour of Kemble's plans for the airfield attracted over a thousand signatures, while an e-petition from the Snowdonia Society received 156.

"[39] In November 2009, the Snowdonia National Park Authority took external legal advice and refused to issue certificates of lawful use to Kemble.

In August 2011, a certificate was granted to Llanbedr Airfield Estates for use of the airport to test and develop unmanned aerial vehicles.

[43] As "Aerospace Wales", the operating company conducts research into future flight systems, including fixed-wing extended-duration drones, to provide cellular network phone coverage to the Welsh Mountain Rescue Service.