RAVENAIR started life as a flying school at Manchester Airport in the early 1980s, founded by the company's Managing Director, Jeff Nuttall. Through the 1980s and 1990s the company expanded into other sectors of general aviation, including aircraft management, air charter and aircraft engineering.

In the summer of 1998 the company transferred its main operations base from Manchester to Liverpool Airport due to the imminent construction of the second runway at Manchester Airport, which was to result in the closure and relocation of all South Side based general aviation facilities.

Today, Ravenair operates from their newly constructed Business Aviation Centre at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Opened in January 2002, the purpose built unit is a one-stop facility for the general and business aviation users of the airport and incorporates a VIP Passenger Lounge, Operations Centre and Conference Rooms. The company operates the General Aviation Site as lead tenant on behalf of the airport company. A second hangar complex was opened in 2004. Plans are in hand for a third building, which will increase the Business Aviation Centre to a combined footprint of 51,000 sq.ft.

Ravenair's associate company, Liverpool Aviation Services (LAS) was formed to compliment existing business users and customers. Operating from the Business Aviation Centre, LAS provides General and Business Aviation Handling at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and a brokerage service to fulfil customer requirements that cannot be flown by the in-house fleet.

Ravenair continues to operate on-demand air charter services from Manchester Airport, basing one or more multi-engine piston aircraft there, subject to customer requirements. In 2009 Ravenair began jet aircraft management and charter services with the addition of three Bombardier Learjet 45 series aircraft to the fleet. These aircraft are available for private jet charter, operating under Ravenair's Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), from bases at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport.

The Ravenair Flying School offers the highest professional standards with many years of experience providing flying training from the basic private pilot's license to advanced commercial licenses. The company presently holds more CAA and EASA training approvals than any other North-West organisation. Centred at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the Flying School continues to expand as new courses are introduced.

In May 2005 Ravenair acquired The Manx Flyers Aero Club based on the Isle of Man, this acquisition was followed in July by the opening of a new flying training base at Manchester's general aviation airfield at Barton.