Roberta Aguirre
College Park Airport in Maryland, United States, is the oldest airport in the world that is still in operation, having been established in 1909 by the Wright brothers. It was used to train two military men to fly the first US federal government aircraft. The airport currently serves as a gateway between Washington, DC, and Prince George's County. Europe and the US are home to most of the world's ten oldest airports, with Europe having four of the ten oldest airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Airport | College Park Airport (IATA code CGS) |
| Location | College Park, Maryland, US |
| Year Opened | 1909 |
| Operator | Maryland Air National Guard |
| Elevation | N/A |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Terminals | 1 |
| Number of Departure Gates | 16 |
| Number of Weekly Flights | 889 |
| Number of Aircraft | 32 |
| Passenger Volume | 5.5 million |
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What You'll Learn
The world's oldest airport: College Park Airport, Maryland, US
College Park Airport (IATA: CGS, ICAO: KCGS, FAA LID: CGS) in the city of College Park, Maryland, is the world's oldest airport still in operation. It was established in 1909 by the Wright Brothers, specifically Wilbur Wright, to train two military officers in the US Army to fly the first US federal government aircraft. 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 one of the gateway airports between Washington, DC, and Prince George's County.
College Park Airport has been the site of many "firsts" in aviation. In 1909, Wilbur Wright taught Lieutenants Frederic Humphreys and Frank Lahm, with Humphreys becoming the first military pilot to solo in a government plane. The same year, Wilbur Wright also flew Mrs Ralph Henry Van Deman, who became the first woman to fly in a powered aircraft in the United States. In 1910, the Aero Club of America chose the College Park Airport for the next James Gordon Bennett Race. From 1927 until 1933, the Bureau of Standards developed and tested the first radio navigational aids for use in bad weather flying, which became the basis for the modern Instrument Landing System. In 1937, the Engineering & Research Corporation (ERCO) used the airport to test fly an early model of the Ercoupe, an airplane designed to be spin-proof.
The airport was originally built as part of the War Department's Air Transport Command (ATC) flight training program for military pilots during World War II. From 1942 to 1947, the United States Army Air Forces used the facility as an advanced flying school, after which it continued to train pilots until 1951 when it was closed due to budget cuts. The facility was then used by private aircraft companies for maintenance. In 1973, the airport was acquired by the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Today, College Park Airport is run as both a historic site and an operating airport. A small museum was established in 1981, which now operates as the College Park Aviation Museum, housing antique and reproduction aircraft associated with the airport's history. The airport's operations have been restricted since the September 11, 2001 attacks due to its proximity to Washington, DC, but it remains open to civilian pilots after a background check.
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The US's oldest airport: College Park Airport, Maryland
The US's oldest airport is the College Park Airport (KCGS) in College Park, Maryland. Established in 1909, it is considered the oldest airport in the world that is still in operation. The airport is popularly known as the "cradle of aviation" and has been referred to as a "Field of Firsts" due to its association with numerous aviation milestones.
College Park Airport was founded by the Wright Brothers, specifically Wilbur Wright, who arrived at the field to train two military officers in the US Army to fly in the government's first aeroplane. The airport was originally part of the War Department's Air Transport Command (ATC) flight training program for military pilots during World War II. It served as an advanced flying school for the United States Army Air Forces from 1942 until 1947, after which it continued to train pilots until 1951. The airport was then utilised by private aircraft companies for maintenance.
College Park Airport has witnessed significant moments in aviation history. On August 12, 1918, it became the Washington terminus for the first US Post Office commercial airmail service. Emile and Henry Berliner, inventors of the first manoeuvrable helicopter, arrived at College Park in 1920 to test their creation. The site also saw the development of the first bomb sight for aircraft use, the first aerial machine gun, and experiments with wireless radio communications. On this site, Americans achieved the first reported nighttime landing using acetylene lamps and created the first radio navigational aides for all-weather flying.
The airport currently serves as one of the gateway airports between Washington, DC, and Prince George's County. It offers aircraft parking for over 100 planes and provides meeting spaces for various events. The airport is home to the Maryland Air National Guard, which owns the airfield.
To maintain the operational status of this historic airport, the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County must adhere to specific laws, regulations, and Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements. These regulations include tree trimming in designated areas near the airport every four to eight years to ensure the safety of aircraft and protect the public.
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Germany's oldest airport: Hamburg Airport
College Park Airport in Maryland, US, is the oldest airport in the world, established in 1909. However, Germany's oldest airport, Hamburg Airport, is also one of the world's oldest commercial airports, established in 1911.
Hamburg Airport, located 8.5km from the city centre, is Germany's oldest international airport and the fifth-busiest of its commercial airports. It is also the second-oldest airport in the country after Tempelhof Airport. The airport was originally built on the outskirts of the city and was first used for airship flights. The site was expanded to 60 hectares in 1913, with the northern part being used for airship operations and the southeast area for fixed-wing aircraft. During World War I, the German military made use of the airship hangar until it was destroyed by fire in 1916.
During the airport's early years, it witnessed the transition from airship to aeroplane. In 1920, Hamburg Airport began its first scheduled flights to destinations such as Berlin and Amsterdam. During World War II, the airport was used as a staging area for the Berlin Airlift in 1948. Lufthansa also used Hamburg as a hub when it launched passenger operations in 1955.
In 2001, a major renovation programme was undertaken, costing €356 million. This added two new terminals, wide access roads, parking spaces, and a new metro rail connection. The airport now offers flights to more than 120 destinations, including two long-haul routes to Dubai and Doha.
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France's oldest airport: Paris-Le Bourget Airport
Paris-Le Bourget Airport, located about 7 kilometres north of Paris, is the oldest airport in France. The airport commenced commercial operations in 1919 and was Paris's only airport until the Orly Airport opened in 1932. Paris-Le Bourget Airport has played a significant role in the history of aviation.
The airport was initially established for military purposes during World War I, and many renowned pilots carried out their missions from this base, which was then the main military airfield. Following World War I, the airport transitioned to civil aviation, with early commercial flights connecting Paris to London and Brussels.
Paris-Le Bourget Airport gained prominence as the landing site for Charles Lindbergh's historic solo transatlantic flight in 1927. It was also the departure point for a French biplane, L'Oiseau Blanc (The White Bird), which attempted a transatlantic flight but sadly disappeared. The airport has been featured in numerous films since the 1930s, showcasing its enduring cultural significance.
Over time, as air travel demands increased, Paris-Le Bourget Airport underwent several changes. It underwent a significant expansion in 1937, in preparation for the World Fair in Paris. However, with the construction of additional airports in Paris, such as Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris-Le Bourget Airport's role evolved.
In 1977, the airport was closed to international and regional airline traffic, and it transitioned to serve domestic and international business aviation. Today, Paris-Le Bourget Airport is one of the most active airports in Europe for business aviation, accommodating all types of aircraft with its three runways and ample parking spaces. It is also home to the Musée de l'air et de l'espace, France's main state-owned aviation museum, which has been located at the airport since 1975.
Paris-Le Bourget Airport continues to be a significant hub for business aviation, earning the nickname "The Teterboro of Europe." It hosts notable events such as the Paris Air Show and remains an integral part of France's aviation history and present.
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Thailand's oldest airport: Don Mueang International Airport
Don Mueang International Airport, commonly referred to as Don Muang, is one of the oldest airports in the world. It was launched in 1914 as a Royal Thai Air Force base and began commercial operations in 1924, making it one of the world's oldest commercial airports. The airport is located in Bangkok, Thailand, and has played a significant role in the country's aviation industry.
Don Mueang served as Bangkok's primary airport for much of its history, handling a significant volume of air traffic. In 2004, it served 80 airlines operating 160,000 flights and managing over 38 million passengers and 700,000 tons of cargo, ranking it as the 14th busiest airport globally. The airport consists of two terminals, with Terminal 1 dedicated to international flights and Terminal 2 serving domestic flights.
The airport's rich history is marked by its transition from a military airfield to a thriving commercial hub. The first flights to Don Mueang involved the Royal Thai Air Force in 1914, and it officially opened as a Royal Thai Air Force base on 27 March 1914. It was the second airfield established in Thailand, after the Sra Pathum Airfield, which was relocated due to its susceptibility to flooding.
In 2006, the opening of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok led to a shift in operations. Don Mueang International Airport was temporarily closed for commercial flights, but due to safety concerns and higher operating costs at the new airport, there was a demand for its reopening. In 2007, the airport officially reopened for domestic flights, and it continues to serve as a vital hub for low-cost carriers and domestic travel within Thailand.
Today, Don Mueang International Airport remains a significant transport hub, offering various transport options for travellers. It is accessible by the SRT Dark Red Line and the State Railway of Thailand intercity services, with plans for a monorail connection to the BTS Green Line. Additionally, the airport provides car rental services and a public bus service for passengers travelling to and from the city.
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Frequently asked questions
The world's oldest airport is College Park Airport in Maryland, US, established in 1909.
Sources suggest that the second oldest airport in the world is either Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, which opened in 1914, or Hamburg Airport in Germany, which opened in 1911.
The oldest airport in Europe is Rome Ciampino Airport in Italy, which opened in 1916.
The oldest airport in the UK is Brighton (Shoreham) Airport, founded in 1910.
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