Aid measure deemed suitable for the internal market, according to the Commission's evaluation.

The historic city of Essen and its neighbour Mülheim celebrated the centenary of Essen/Mülheim Airport on Sunday, 7th September, 2025. The event, held in the iconic airship hangar, looked back at the airport's rich history while also unveiling its future plans.

Mayor Thomas Kufen highlighted the airport's significance as a crucial site for aviation, economy, inventiveness, and unity. He spoke about the airport's role in connecting the cities of Essen and Mülheim since 1925, with the first scheduled flights being part of its history.

One of the main highlights of the celebration was the unveiling of the new airship hangar, a blend of tradition and modernity. This new addition to the historic airship hangar is expected to contribute to the continued growth and development of Essen and Mülheim. The airship hangar will serve as a venue for culture, events, and technology, strengthening the cities as technology hubs.

The airport's future development includes the transformation of its site into a business park by the Airport Development Company Essen/Mülheim. In the coming years, the airport grounds will be developed into a business park, attracting businesses and investors to Essen and Mülheim.

Mayor Kufen reassured the public that the airport's future is secure, with continuous flight operations and significant contributions to education and innovation. He emphasised that the development of the business park and airship hangar is a significant step towards modernising Essen/Mülheim Airport.

The airship "Theo" is mentioned in the airport's history, but the modern successor of this airship was not specified during the event. Nonetheless, the airport embodies a pioneering spirit, innovation, and the dream of flight, making it a beacon of progress in the region.

The roundtable discussion during the celebration looked back at the airport's history, reminiscing about its past achievements and looking forward to its promising future. It was a day to celebrate the airport's centenary, but also a day to set the stage for its next hundred years of service.

With the development of the business park and airship hangar, Essen/Mülheim Airport is poised to play a vital role in the modernisation and growth of the cities of Essen and Mülheim, ensuring a bright and innovative future for all.