Oldest airports globally unveiled: eye-opening exploration of aviation history's landmarks
Berlin Tempelhof Airport, once a bustling hub of global aviation, closed its doors in 2010 to make way for one of the largest urban parks in the world, surpassing Central Park in New York in size. However, its history is not forgotten, as it was the base for Lufthansa since 1926 [1].
Meanwhile, College Park Airport in Maryland, USA, the oldest continuously operating airport worldwide, was founded by Wilbur Wright in 1909. Initially used as a training camp by the Wright brothers, it later became a site for U.S. Army pilot training. Post-9/11, operations have been restricted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) [2].
College Park Airport is not alone in its military past. Hamburg Airport, Germany, opened in 1911, served early airships and later transitioned to jets. During wartime, it functioned as a military base, but today, it connects to over 125 cities and handles millions of passengers annually following major modernization from 2001 to 2009 [1].
Orly Air Base, France, was established by the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Postwar, it served both civil and military functions, supporting NATO operations during the Cold War. Today, it is part of Paris-Orly Airport, a major international airport [3].
Nielson Field / Nichols Field, Manila, Philippines, opened before World War II, was heavily damaged during the war but refurbished by Philippine Airlines (PAL) post-war. PAL resumed operations there in 1946, making it a key entry point for passengers [2].
Bremen Airport, Germany, founded in 1913, managed to exceed one million passengers in 1989. Inside Bremen Airport, there is a small museum about aviation and space exploration [4].
Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, was founded in 1914 and began commercial operations in 1924. Today, it operates mainly with domestic flights and had almost 38 million passengers in 2017 [5].
Shoreham Airport in the UK, also known as Brighton City Airport, is the second oldest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the oldest commercial airports in the world. Bucharest Airport Aurel Vlaicu in Romania, founded in 1912, was the only airport in Bucharest until 1968 [6].
These airports illustrate a pattern of early military use—often tied to World War I or II—before evolving into important civil or commercial aviation hubs. Modernization efforts tend to focus on expanding terminals, improving passenger facilities, and updating infrastructure to meet contemporary aviation standards, as seen with Hamburg Airport and Orly. Their historical significance lies in their roles as early military training or operational bases that transitioned into peacetime civil aviation centers, marking milestones in the development of global air travel [1][2][3].
References: [1] https://www.airport-technology.com/news/newsberlin-tempelhof-airport-history/ [2] https://www.airport-technology.com/features/featurecollege-park-airport-history/ [3] https://www.airport-technology.com/features/featureorly-airport-history/ [4] https://www.airport-technology.com/features/featurebremen-airport-history/ [5] https://www.airport-technology.com/news/newsdon-mueang-airport-history/ [6] https://www.airport-technology.com/features/featureshorham-airport-history/
The evolution of some airports, like Berlin Tempelhof, Hamburg, Orly, and Don Mueang, initially served military purposes but transformed into significant civil or commercial aviation hubs. Today, finance and industry sectors invest in modernizing these airports, focusing on expanding terminals, improving passenger facilities, and updating infrastructure to align with current aviation standards.
In parallel with civil aviation growth, the history of College Park Airport, which began as a training camp by the Wright brothers in 1909, intertwines with finance and transportation as it evolved into one of the oldest continuously operating airports worldwide.
