Lydd Airport (IATA: LYX, ICAO: EGMD) is located 1.2 NM (2.2 km; 1.4 mi) northeast of the town of Lydd and 12 NM (22 km; 14 mi) south of Ashford in the District of Shepway within Kent, England. Originally named Lydd Ferryfield, it is now also known as London Ashford Airport, although it is over 73 miles from central London, and the name officially refers only to its operator. The airport is operated by London Ashford Airport Ltd, a company ultimately controlled by the Saudi Arabian businessman Sheikh Fahad al-Athel. Lydd Airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P858) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (London Ashford Airport Limited). The airport is currently able to handle aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 737 or Airbus A319, but the runway length means that such aircraft can only take off with a restricted payload.