 Following the closure of the airport in 1984, the site has since been redeveloped as a manufacturing facility for Nissan cars - Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK.In October 1916, the airfield that subsequently became Sunderland Airport started as a Flight Station for 'B' Flight of No.36 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and was originally called Hylton (after nearby Hylton Castle), although when being prepared it was known as West Town Moor.