Roberta Aguirre
College Park Airport in Maryland, US, is the world's oldest airport still in operation, established in 1909 when Wilbur Wright arrived to train two military officers in the US Army. However, it is not the last airport to be made. In 2020, a new terminal was constructed at Albany International Airport, with various improvements such as a new parking garage, solar panels, and escalators. Hamburg Airport in Germany, established in 1911, underwent a major modernization in 2001, and Bremen Airport in Germany, established in 1920, is still being expanded with new terminals and runway facilities.
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What You'll Learn
- College Park Airport, Maryland, US, is the oldest airport still in operation, established in 1909
- Hamburg Airport, Germany, is the second-oldest airport, established in 1911
- Bremen Airport, Germany, was reopened for commercial traffic in 1920
- Rome Ciampino Airport, Italy, was Rome's only airport until 1961
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, South Carolina, US, was the state's first commercial airport, opened in 1927
College Park Airport, Maryland, US, is the oldest airport still in operation, established in 1909
College Park Airport, located in the city of College Park, Maryland, US, is the oldest airport still in operation. It was established in 1909 by the United States Army Signal Corps to serve as a training ground for Wilbur Wright to instruct two military officers to fly the US government's first aeroplane. The airport, popularly known as the 'cradle of aviation', was acquired by the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in 1973 and has been under its operation since.
The airport is situated south of Paint Branch and Lake Artemesia, east of US Route 1 and the College Park Metro/MARC station, and west of Kenilworth Avenue. It is also located near the Metro Rail network, making it easily accessible for commuters. College Park Airport was leased on 25 August 1909, and the first aeroplane, a Wright Type A biplane, was uncrated and assembled on 7 October. Civilian aircraft began flying from the airport as early as December 1911, making it the oldest continuously operated airport in the world.
The College Park Aviation Museum, located within the airport, showcases the history of the airport and aviation in the region. The museum opened to the public in 1981 and moved to its current building in 1998. It features a replica of the original 1909 College Park Airport hangar, a main hangar with aircraft and exhibits, a 90-seat auditorium, a non-circulating appointment-only library, a gift shop, and museum offices. The museum offers rotating exhibits, special events, lectures, workshops, and programmes for the public, schools, and groups.
Since the 9/11 attacks, the airport's operations have been restricted by the Transportation Security Administration due to its proximity to the national capital. However, civilian pilots can still use the airport after undergoing a one-time background check procedure. In 2022, Tailwind Air announced plans to begin a scheduled flight service from College Park to Skyport Marina on Manhattan's East Side.
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Hamburg Airport, Germany, is the second-oldest airport, established in 1911
Hamburg Airport, located in Germany's second-largest city, has a long and illustrious history in aviation. Established in 1911, it is one of the world's oldest international airports still in operation and the second oldest in Germany, after Berlin-Tempelhof Airport.
The airport's history began on a site in Hamburg's Fuhlsbüttel district, where the first aircraft took off on November 10, 1911. At the time, the airport was primarily used for airshows and occasional military purposes. It wasn't until 1913 that the airport was officially inaugurated, with the opening of a small wooden hangar and a grass runway. In its early years, the airport served as a base for zeppelins, and during World War I, it was utilized for military aviation.
After the war, Hamburg Airport played a significant role in the development of German commercial aviation. In 1920, the airport began offering scheduled passenger flights, becoming one of the first airports in the world to do so. The following years saw the construction of additional hangars and a new terminal building, solidifying Hamburg Airport's position as a key aviation hub. During this time, the airport also served as a testing ground for new aircraft designs, including the pioneering Junkers F 13, the world's first all-metal transport aircraft, which took its maiden flight from Hamburg in 1919.
Despite the challenges posed by World War II, Hamburg Airport continued to operate, albeit with a focus on military aviation. The airport sustained heavy damage during the war, but it was rebuilt and expanded in the post-war years, with new terminals, runways, and other infrastructure being added to accommodate the growing demand for air travel. Today, Hamburg Airport handles millions of passengers each year and continues to be a vital gateway to the city and the surrounding region.
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Bremen Airport, Germany, was reopened for commercial traffic in 1920
While it is challenging to pinpoint the last airport constructed, this text will focus on Bremen Airport in Germany, which was reopened for commercial traffic in 1920.
Bremen Airport, officially known as Flughafen Bremen, is situated 3.5 km south of the city of Bremen in Northern Germany. The airport's history dates back to the early 20th century, with the first experimental flights taking place in 1910 on the former parade grounds of the local garrison. The Bremer Verein für Luftschiffahrt, a local aerospace club, conducted these pioneering flights. The Senate of Bremen recognised the importance of connecting the city to the expanding airship route network and supported the establishment of an airfield.
On May 16, 1913, official permission for the opening of Bremen Airport was granted, marking its establishment as one of the world's oldest airports. During World War I, the airport was administered by the German military. However, in 1920, it reopened for commercial traffic, signifying a shift back to civilian operations.
Over the years, Bremen Airport has undergone various transformations and expansions. In the mid-1950s, the terminal buildings were reconstructed, and Lufthansa established its presence at the airport, commencing scheduled flights. During the 1960s, Bremen Airport entered the jet age with the introduction of scheduled jet flights. A significant upgrade came in 1971 with the installation of a large radar system on the airport's southern perimeter.
Today, Bremen Airport caters to flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. In 2023, the airport handled 1.81 million passengers, showcasing its role as a vital aviation hub in Northern Germany. The airport consists of a main passenger terminal building, divided into Terminal 1, 2, and 3, offering various amenities and facilities for travellers.
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Rome Ciampino Airport, Italy, was Rome's only airport until 1961
Ciampino Airport was named after Giovan Battista Pastine, an Italian airship pilot who served in World War I. The airport was initially used for military purposes until 1947, when the Anglo-Americans handed over control back to Italian authorities. The first commercial flight to land at Ciampino was operated by a US airline, Trans World Airlines, on April 2, 1946. The airline flew one of its McDonnell Douglas DC-4s to the airport, becoming the first airline to operate a civil flight between the US and Italy after World War II.
Ciampino Airport underwent renovations and expansions, including the construction of a second runway with provisional lighting systems to enable night operations. On October 31, 1957, the Italian airline operating at Ciampino, Linee Aeree Italiane, entered voluntary liquidation, and its resources were transferred to another Italian airline, Alitalia. Alitalia progressively moved its base from Ciampino to the new Fiumicino Airport, which was inaugurated on January 15, 1962.
Ciampino Airport is now the secondary international airport serving Rome, after Fiumicino Airport. It is a joint civilian, commercial, and military airport, hosting a military airport and the headquarters of the Italian Air Force. The airport is known for its low-cost carriers and general aviation traffic, and it is one of the busiest and fastest-growing airports in Italy.
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Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, South Carolina, US, was the state's first commercial airport, opened in 1927
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, also known as Roger Milliken Field, is located near Greer, South Carolina, US, between Greenville and Spartanburg, the major cities of the Upstate region of South Carolina. It was the state's first commercial airport, opening in 1927 as Greenville-Spartanburg Jetport, with the renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh participating in the airport's official opening. The airport is mostly in Spartanburg County, with a portion in Greenville County, and it serves as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.
The history of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport dates back to the mid-1950s when Roger Milliken, a textile heir and businessman, along with other Upstate business leaders, recognised the need for a shared airport for Greenville and Spartanburg. Previously, each city had its own airport and competed for airline service. The efforts to build a new, modern airport led them to Flatwood, a community with long stretches of flat land ideal for an airport site. The land acquisition process began in 1958, and construction commenced in 1961.
The airport opened on October 15, 1962, as a modern facility with technological advancements, including being the first airport with runway lights embedded in the pavement. The first commercial flight, Eastern Airlines Flight 580, arrived at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on its opening day. The airport replaced Greenville Downtown Airport as the primary airline destination in the region, initially serving Eastern Air Lines and Southern Airways, while Delta Air Lines discontinued their service.
Over the years, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has undergone expansions and improvements. In the 1980s, the terminal and cargo facilities were expanded, and the runway was lengthened in the 1990s. In 2012, the airport initiated a four-year, $102 million terminal improvement program to modernise the facilities and enhance passenger flow. The airport has also received accolades for its excellence, including top honours in the Airport Council International's Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards.
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Frequently asked questions
College Park Airport in Maryland, US, is the oldest airport still in operation. It was established in 1909 when Wilbur Wright arrived to train two military officers in the US Army.
Hamburg Airport in Germany is the oldest airport in Europe, established in 1911.
Brighton City Airport, also known as Shoreham Airport, is the second oldest airport in the UK, founded in 1910.
Bucharest 'Aurel Vlaicu' Airport, also known as Baneasa Airport, is the oldest airport in Romania, with the first flights taking off in 1909. However, it was only considered an official airport in 1912 when a flight school was established on-site.
