| 1947 | India gains independence from Britain
The first British nuclear reactor is developed
The end of Empire class flying boats; they are replaced with newer
models |
| 1948 | British railways and docks are nationalised. Ownership of the
docks transfers to the British Transport Commission
The marine air terminal is opened at Berth 50. BOAC flying boats
return to Southampton |
| 1949 | Aquila Airways is formed by Barry Aikman, providing a weekly
flying boat service to Madeira from Southampton |
| 1950 | Ocean Passenger Terminal is opened at Ocean Dock
BOAC`s last passenger flying boat leaves for South Africa |
| 1951 | Esso Marine Oil Terminal Fawley opens at the mouth of
Southampton Water |
| 1952 | George VI dies; Elizabeth II becomes Queen
Construction of Marchwood power station started, opposite
Southampton port
Aquila extend their route from Madeira to Las Palmas in the Canary
Islands
The first commercial jet airliner service launched by
BOAC. Comet operates between London and Johannesburg,
South Africa |
| 1954 | Weekly summer routes to the Italian coast are opened by Aquila
Airways |
| 1955 | Submarine telephone cable are laid across the Atlantic
opened
Routes to Genoa and Santa Margherita are opened by Aquila |
| 1956 | Britain and France invade Suez (Egypt) |
| 1958 | The last flight by Aquila departs Southampton, marking the end
of the flying boat era |
| 1959 | Britain`s first motorway, a section of the M1, opens |
