 On 3 July 1962, RAF Usworth was purchased by Sunderland Corporation for £27,000, and reopened as Sunderland Airport.Sunderland Corporation re-laid the runways, while Runway 23/05 was extended to 3,838 ft and renovated the hangar, and in June 1963, Sunderland Flying Club came into being.On 28 June 1964, an Open Day and commemorative ceremony took place to celebrate the rebirth of what was then Sunderland Airport.