10 Air Gunnery School which came into being in October 1941, initially comprising 100 personnel, and was one of several situated around the coastline of the Irish Sea, which provided an ideal location[clarification needed] for such training.

Each bomber required two or three gunners in its crew, so thousands were needed for the growing strategic offensive and to replace losses.

RAF Walney played an important role in the training programme, and thus began the busiest period in the life of the station.

[3] Whilst at Walney, the volunteer trainee air gunners underwent an intensive course before passing on to the operational training units of Bomber Command.

During the early 20th century a site 1 mile south west of the airport was used for one of the UK's most important airship production facilities.

9r, R80, and the SS class blimp were constructed by Vickers, Sons and Maxim for the British Royal Navy at Walney, having relocated from alongside Cavendish Dock in Barrow.

In 2004 a study into the airport indicated that a £1 million upgrade would attract thousands of business passengers a year flying to London and Europe.

Conversion of the airport into an international airport is only at a planning stage, but already the number of aircraft using the airfield has increased with the completion of an upgrade programme, including instrument landing system (ILS) installation for runway 35, resurfacing and re-lighting of runway 17/35, security fencing around the entire airfield and other improvements such as signage.

In 2016 BAE Systems submitted plans to Barrow Borough Council to redevelop and expand parts of the airport by constructing a new terminal and air traffic control tower, hangar, garage for support vehicles including a fire engine, a new car park and upgraded roadway and an aircraft apron.

[12] BAE completed much of their expansion in 2018 and the new development was officially opened on 3 September 2019 by Rear Admiral Paul Methuen DSMA.

Due to adverse weather conditions and a poorly lit runway, the plane hit an embankment alongside the Walney Channel, killing the pilot and seriously injuring two passengers.