Airports are crowded with people racing to catch flights, going through security checks, and waiting at the gates. Since the 1900s, airports have come a long way. Following World War II, the architecture was improved. Modern airports are testaments to human ingenuity and creativity. Thanks to automated luggage systems, self-check-in, and a variety of mobile apps designed to improve the aviation experience. Since they were initially built, airports’ appearances have undergone a significant transformation. Check out the world’s ten oldest airports.
Oldest Airports In The World
1. College Park Airport, U.S.
By all accounts, College Park Airport, located in Maryland’s Prince George’s County, is a historic airfield. It is the oldest airport that has been in continuous operation. It was fondly known as the ‘Cradle of Aviation’.
2. Hamburg Airport, Germany
The world’s oldest operating commercial airport is Hamburg Airport (HAM), which was founded in January 1911. After Flughafen Tempelhof, it is the second-oldest airport in Germany. In 1945, when British rule began, the airport was given the name Hamburg.
3. Bucharest Băneasa- Aurel Vlaicu International Airport, Romania
Baneasa Airport, Aurel Vlaicu International Airport, or Bucharest City Airport—or Eastern Europe’s oldest continually operating airport French pilot and aviation pioneer Louis Blériot used the BBU as a private airport when it was opened. He began flying in 1909. However, it was given approved status as an airport in 1912.
4. Bremen Airport, Germany
One of the primary international commercial airports in Germany is the BRE. It provides nonstop service to about 30 destinations in nations throughout Europe and North Africa. Official approval for the airport was given on May 16, 1913.
5. Rome-Ciampino International Airport, Italy
The Rome-Ciampino International Airport is a hub for military and commercial aviation. The airport serves as a significant hub for general aviation and various low-cost carriers. It served more than 2 million passengers annually and served as Rome’s primary airport until Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport opened in 1960.
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6. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands
The largest and busiest airport in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is located in North Holland. It received the third-highest international passenger traffic ranking in the world in 2021 and was named the best airport in Western Europe at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2020.
7. Paris-Le Bourget Airport, France
Before Orly Airport was established in 1932, Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG) was the only airport in the city. It opened for business in 1919. An additional attraction at the airport is the Air & Space Museum (Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace). The museum hosts exhibitions, special events, a planetarium, and flying simulators.
8. Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, Sydney
Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, is located on the northern shores of Botany Bay. In 1920, Mascot Aerodrome was formally opened. In honour of the illustrious Australian pilot Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, the airport was renamed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport in August 1936.
9. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, U.S
Located in Minnesota’s Fort Snelling Unorganised Territory, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) serves both civil and military travellers. The Twin City Speedway race track was acquired by a group of local organisations in 1919, leading to the establishment of the airport.
10. Albany International Airport, U.S
The first and oldest municipal airport in the US is the 1,200-acre Albany International Airport (ALB). It is the fourth-largest in New York State and serves as the principal entryway to the Capital Region, Western New England, Southern Vermont, and Northeastern New York.
The airports and their convenience might have come a long way but we will always have these first ones to thank for paving the way!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
First Published: May 16, 2023 6:47 PM