Airports have been in existence since the year since the year 1909, ever since, it has been a major mode of transportation all over the world.
Here are the top 10 oldest airports in the world:
1. College Park Airport, US
This airport located in the city of College Park, Maryland, is the world’s oldest operating airport. It was opened in 1909 and is one of the gateway airports between Washington, DC and Prince George’s County.
The airport has a single runway that is 2,600 feet long and 60 feet wide. Parking is available for more than 100 airplanes including tenant and transient aircraft.
2. Hamburg Airport, Germany
The world’s second oldest commercial airport, Hamburg Airport, is located 8.5 kilometers from the city centre of Hamburg, Germany. The airport, which opened in 1911, is currently Germany’s oldest.
Every year, around 13 million people pass through the airport, with 115 domestic and foreign airlines serving over 60 destinations. The airport’s two runways and aircraft parking facilities can accommodate an Airbus A380. The airport is home to 250 enterprises that employ approximately 15,000 people.
3. Bucharest Baneasa ‘Aurel Vlaicu’ International Airport, Romania
Bucharest ‘Aurel Vlaicu’ Airport (BBU), also known as Baneasa Airport, is located 8.5 km from Bucharest, Romania. While the first flights at the BBU took place in 1909, it was not until 1912 that the site was formally designated as an airport due to the development of a flight school.
The terminal building, was built in 1952, still serves airport users and is designated as a city landmark. The BBU was transformed into a business airport in 2012 as the facilities were inadequate to handle the huge commercial traffic and there was no scope for expansion.
4. Bremen Airport, Germany
Bremen Airport, commonly known as City Airport Bremen, is located 3.5 kilometers north of Bremen in Northern Germany. It is one of the world’s oldest airports, having been built in 1913. In 2013, the airport handled 2.6 million passengers.
During World War I, the Bremen Airport was operated by the German military, and it reopened for commercial travel in 1920.
The airport serves as a hub for Germania and Ryanair, and offers non-stop flights to 50 destinations covering 20 nations in Europe and North Africa. It is also the fastest departure airport in Europe as it is accessible from the city centre within just 11 minutes.
5. Rome Ciampino Airport, Italy
Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) first opened in 1916, is one of the world’s oldest airports and served as Rome’s sole airport until the 1961 inauguration of Leonardo da Vinci Airport.
The CIA is now a significant hub for low-cost airlines. The national and international terminals serve low-cost and charter carriers, while the general aviation terminal serves air taxi and business aircraft.
The airport serves over 20 international destinations and serves approximately 5.5 million people per year. Rapid airport traffic growth has compelled the Italian Ministry of Transport to seek a new airport for Rome.
6. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherlands
Schiphol Airport (AMS) is located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, approximately 9.1 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 1916, the airport was created as a military airbase.
The airport handled the first civilian planes in 1920 and was extensively destroyed during WWII. It was partially repaired in 1945 and expanded significantly in 1975.
The airport is presently the major international airport for the Netherlands and the fourth busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic. Schiphol today handles over 50 million passengers per year and serves over 300 destinations.
7. Paris-Le Bourget Airport, France
The Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG) commenced commercial operations in 1919 and is considered France’s oldest airport. The airport is in the commune of Le Bourget, about 7 kilometers north of Paris.
It was Paris’ sole airport until the completion of Orly Airport in 1932. It has three runways and plenty of parking for various types of aircraft. It is one of the world’s premier business aviation airports, and it is also home to over 100 maintenance enterprises that provide equipment and services in the industry.
8. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Australia
Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford-Smith Airport, first opened its doors as Mascot Aerodrome in 1920. The airport is located around 8 kilometers south of Sydney’s central business district.
Sydney Airport’s infrastructure includes three passenger terminals, seven cargo terminals, three runways, quick departure taxiways, and an air traffic control tower. The airport now serves over 37 million people per year.
9. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport , US
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), formerly known as Speedway Field, is located in Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
In 1923, the airport was renamed Wold-Chamberlain Field, and the first passenger flight took place in 1929. It was renamed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in 1948, and it was entirely renovated as part of the MSP 2010 Long-Term Comprehensive Plan.
The airport provides nonstop service to 114 domestic and 20 foreign destinations. The airport’s two terminals and four runways serve over 33 million passengers and over 430,000 aircraft.
10. Albany International Airport, US
Albany International Airport which was founded in 1928, is the country’s oldest municipal airport, located 11 kilometers northwest of Albany, New York.
The airport’s initial airmail operations began in June 1928, followed by passenger services in October of the same year. The airport handled 180 people in 1929 and today handles over 2.5 million passengers per year.
As part of a large restoration program in the 1940s, the airport’s size was increased to 800 acres. A recent major renovation project at the airport featured a new ATC tower, parking complex, and cargo facility.
