During the Second World War, a decoy aerodrome for the de Havilland factory at Hatfield was built on land at Holwell Hyde, just south of Panshanger airfield, and the Royal Air Force occasionally made use of it for training.

Panshanger airfield itself was more regularly used by the Royal Air Force for training purposes and a large Bellman type hangar was erected to accommodate the aircraft based there.

During its time of operation, Panshanger Aerodrome had a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Ordinary Licence (Number P782) that allowed flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee.

Many hundreds of local residents, pilots, aviation organisations and members of the North London Flying Club were against the proposal which ended its public consultation on 31 January 2014.

[5] There have been efforts to have it re-opened, with campaigners aiming to convince the council that the aerodrome was a great economic and social asset.

After strong representations, the local Council hope to pursue a mixed use option, with general aviation activities alongside a smaller number of new houses on part of the airfield site.