Over the last century, the rapid rise of modern aviation has resulted in an exponential increase in airport construction around the world. However, a number of airports date back to the early days of aviation and have been operational ever since. What are the ten oldest airports in the world that are still operational today?
1. Albany International Airport(ALB)
Opened in 1928.
Albany International Airport (ALB), which established in 1928, is the world’s tenth-oldest airport currently operational. The airport was extensively refurbished and expanded in 1962, 1979, 1998, and 2000, with the most recent addition being a specialized terminal for low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines.
Today, Albany International Airport serves around 2.7 million travelers each year. Last year’s busiest airport destinations were:
- Baltimore (BWI) has 219,000 travelers.
- Chicago (ORD) has 147,000 passengers.
- Charlotte (CLT) has 141,000 passengers.
- Atlanta (ATL) has 134,000 passengers.
- Orlando (MCO) has 132,000 travelers.
2.Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP
Opened in 1920.
Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) opened in 1920 as Speedway Field. In 1923, the facility was renamed Wold-Chamberlain Field, and in 1948, it became Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport has two terminals and four runways and is a significant hub for Delta Air Lines.
The SkyTeam member connects Minneapolis to destinations throughout the Americas, as well as a variety of long-haul destinations including London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), and Seoul Incheon (ICN). Last year, the most popular international routes from the airport were to:
- Amsterdam (AMS) has 510,000 passengers.
- Cancún (CUN) has 382,000 passengers.
- Paris (CDG) has 270,000 travelers.
- Toronto (YYZ) has 205,000 passengers.
- Seoul (ICN) has 182,000 passengers.
3. Sydney Airport(SYD)
Opened in 1920.
Sydney Airport (SYD) is the world’s eighth-oldest operating airport and the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. The first gravel runways were erected in 1933, and the facility was renamed Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in 1936, after the pioneering Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. By 1949, the airport had three runways and its first international terminal was built.
The introduction of Qantas’ Boeing 707s in 1969 marked the beginning of the jet age at Sydney Airport, and the airport was quickly connected to locations all over the world. Today, Sydney Airport handles over 40 million people each year, making it Australia’s busiest airport. The airport is a hub for Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. The most popular destinations from the airport in 2023 are:
- Melbourne (MEL) has 8,200,000 passengers.
- Brisbane (BNE) has 4,579,000 passengers.
- Gold Coast (OOL) has 2,649,000 passengers.
- Adelaide (ADL) has 1,879,000 passengers.
- Perth (PER) has 1,721,000 passengers.
4. Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG).
Opened in 1919.
Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG) opened in 1919 and remained the city’s sole airport until the opening of Paris Orly Airport (ORY) in 1932. Paris-Le Bourget Airport served as the landing place for Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo transatlantic trip in 1927, and commercial services quickly expanded.
However, by 1952, Paris-Le Bourget Airport was getting overcrowded, and due to capacity limits, Air France transferred its entire business to Orly Airport. Today, the airport hosts the Paris Air Show every two years, where airlines and manufacturers from around the world assemble, with substantial aircraft orders frequently placed.
5. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
Opened in 1916.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) opened in September 1916, making it the sixth-oldest airport still operational today. Originally built as a military airbase, the airport saw the introduction of its first commercial flights near the close of World War I.
Despite being substantially damaged during World War II, the airport was soon rebuilt and has since grown exponentially.
Today, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has a single continuous terminal building divided into three sections and a whopping six runways. The airport is now ranked third in the world for international passenger traffic, with little under 62 million expected in 2023. The rest of the top five are listed below:
- Dubai foreign Airport (DXB) serves 87,000,000 foreign passengers.
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) serves 75,000,000 foreign passengers.
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) serves 62,000,000 foreign passengers.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) serves 61,000,000 foreign passengers.
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) serves 58,000,000 foreign passengers.
6. Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA).
Opened in 1916.
Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) opened in 1916, making it the world’s fifth-oldest airport still in use today. It functioned as Rome’s major airport until 1960, when all commercial flights were transferred to the new Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
The facility has only one terminal building and 16 departure gates. For more than 40 years, Rome Ciampino Airport mainly served charter and VIP flights, until 2007, when low-cost carriers began to expand their operations, connecting the airport to destinations around Europe.
7. Bremen Airport (BRE).
Opened in 1913
Bremen Airport (BRE) in Germany opened in 1913 and was one of the country’s earliest airports designed for aircraft operations rather than airships. During World War I, the airport was under military administration, but commercial services resumed in 1920 when KLM commenced flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
Bremen Airport was greatly enlarged in the 1930s, but civilian activities were halted again during WWII. The German flag carrier Lufthansa began servicing the airport in the 1950s, and commercial services from all around Europe have subsequently been added.
Bremen Airport now serves over 1.8 million passengers yearly, flying them to corporate hubs and famous vacation destinations throughout Europe.
8. Bucharest Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU)
Opened in 1912.
George Valentin Bibescu developed one of Romania’s first aviation schools in 1912. The building later became known as Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU), the world’s third-oldest airport that is still operational today.
The current terminal building debuted in 1952, and with its central dome and wing design resembling an aviation propeller, it was regarded as one of Bucharest’s greatest pieces of architecture at the time.
The airport functioned as the domestic hub for Romania’s flag carrier, TAROM, while its international operations were situated at the city’s Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), also called Otopeni Airport.
In the early 2000s, TAROM concentrated operations at Otopeni Airport, while Bucharest Băneasa Aurel Vlaicu International Airport remained Romania’s second-busiest airport, notably among low-cost carriers. However, in 2012, its facilities were judged insufficient for the country’s expanding aviation sector, therefore it was transformed into a business-only airport.
9. Hamburg Airport (HAM).
Opened in 1911
Hamburg Airport (HAM), in Germany, is the world’s second oldest continually operating airport, having opened in 1911. Between 2001 and 2009, Hamburg Airport had a $370 million refurbishment, constructing two new terminal buildings capable of handling big aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and connecting the airport to the city’s metro system.
Hamburg Airport now serves over 125 destinations across Europe, including Dubai (DXB) and Doha (DOH). After several US carriers departed during the last decade, Emirates and Qatar Airways now provide the airport’s only long-haul flights. Last year, the facility processed more over 13 million passengers, which was still much below its pre-pandemic peak of 17 million.
10. College Park Airport(CGS)
Opened in 1909.
College Park Airport (CGS) in Maryland is the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, having opened in August 1909 as the designated location for Wilbur Wright to train military officers in the United States Army. Commercial air service began in December 1911.
College Park Airport is known as the “cradle of aviation” due to its historical significance. The airport also houses the College Park Aviation Museum, which opened in 1981. In addition to the main hangar, which displays various aircraft, the museum has a 90-seat auditorium and a gift shop.
However, following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, and due to College Park Airport’s proximity to Washington, DC, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspended airport operations for national security reasons.
This also put a stop to Tailwind Airlines’ ambitions to operate commercial services between the airport and Skyport Marina in Manhattan using a Cessna Grand Caravan.