Did you know that the oldest airport recently celebrated 116 years since its opening? Today there are several dozen airports in the world that are over a hundred years old, but you would never guess their age , they are so comfortable and modern. We are talking about five air terminals that opened at the beginning of the last century, but are ready to receive you any day – you just need to buy a ticket.
Hamburg International Airport (Helmut Schmidt Airport),
Germany
Opening year: 1911
Hamburg is the oldest airport in the world that still accepts commercial flights. It opened in January 1911 and today is one of the five busiest airports in the region.
The center of Hamburg is only 8.5 kilometers from here. That is why at the end of the 20th century they wanted to move it further north of the city, but quickly changed their minds and instead reconstructed it, built new administrative buildings and infrastructure.
The airport has two terminals and two runways. It can accommodate any aircraft, even large ones, such as the Airbus A380. Specializes in flights to Europe, especially to Scandinavian countries. Today, about 13 million passengers fly through Hamburg annually.
In 2016, the airport changed its name and now bears the name of Helmut Schmidt, the fifth Chancellor of Germany.
Bucharest Baneas International Airport Aurel Vlaicu, Romania
Photo: bucharestairports.ro
Opening year: 1912
The airport is located in the Baneasa area, 8.5 kilometers from Bucharest. Until 1968, it was the only airport in Romania; today it is the second busiest: the championship goes to Henri Coanda International Airport, where most international flights arrive. But if you’re flying low-cost, this is probably where you’ll land.
The first flights to Banyasa took place in 1909; it was here that the French pilot Louis Bleriot flew here. In 1912, the first flight school in Romania opened here, and the same year is considered the year of opening.
The modern airport building was built in the late 1940s and has been in operation since 1952. It is considered one of the architectural landmarks of Bucharest. In appearance, the building resembles a three-bladed propeller: three wings extend symmetrically from the central part.
It is worth noting that since 2012, the number of flights arriving at Banyasa has been sharply limited because the airport could not cope with the ever-increasing load. The fact is that the building cannot be rebuilt, and there is not enough space to build a new terminal. The project exists, but has not yet been approved. If the terminal is built, the airport’s capacity will increase to 3 million passengers per year, but for now these are only plans and talks.
Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand
Opening year: 1914
Opened on March 27, 1914 at the national air force base. Until 2006, when Suvarnabhum became operational, Don Mueang was the country’s main airport. It was renovated in 2012, and today the airport is used mainly for low-cost, charter and domestic flights. Capacity – more than 9 million passengers per year.
Don Mueang is located north of Bangkok, about 30 kilometers from the center. The airport has two terminals, for domestic and international flights. The second one was opened in December 2015, this is where the check-in counters of low-cost airlines and Air Asia are located.
The main terminal building is small, with a simple layout, but passengers will still find everything they need here, from a cafe to duty-free. The Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel is also located here, where you can spend the night during a long layover.
Rome-Ciampino Airport (Giovan Battista Pastine Airport),
Italy
Opening year: 1916
The oldest airport in Italy is named after the famous pilot of the First World War, but it is usually called simply Ciampino, after the district on whose border it is located. During World War II, the airport was captured by Allied forces and served as a transport hub for cargo and military forces.
Today Ciampino is focused mainly on domestic and charter flights – the Leonadro da Vinci airport in Fiumicino was opened for international flights in 1960. In addition, low-cost airlines fly here, making Ciampino one of the busiest and fastest growing airports in the country. Passenger traffic here is about 5 million people per year.
Ciampino is Ryanair’s home airport; it is from here that the airline flies to almost all major cities in Italy and Europe. Wizzair is also based here, although it only has 6 flights from Ciampino.
Compared to Fiumicino, this airport seems quite small. There are two terminals: one for departure and arrival, the second is used for private flights.
Schiphol, Netherlands
Opening year: 1916
Amsterdam’s main airport and the most important gateway to Europe, Schiphol dates back to September 16, 1916, when it was a military airbase. Civil aircraft began flying to Schiphol in 1920, when it was still called Schiphol le Bain. The name of the airport comes from the name of Fort Schiphol, which was on the site of the airport and was part of the system of defensive fortifications of Amsterdam.
Schiphol has only one terminal, but it is huge: it ranks 16th on the list of the largest buildings in the world by area. The terminal area is divided into three halls, which are connected by passages. Boarding gates are located on special piers that lead from each concourse.
The airport is considered one of the most modern and convenient in Europe. There is everything for passengers here: a relaxation area with TVs, a library and a games room, numerous shops, cafes and restaurants, exhibitions (including from the Rijksmuseum). Since 2006, a registry office has been operating on the territory of Schiphol.
Out of rating: College Park Airport, Maryland, USA
Photo: expedia.com
Opening year: 1909
This airport is out of our top five because today it is not used for civil flights. But it’s impossible not to mention the cradle of world aviation: “College Park” remembers the famous Wilbur Wright, who trained US Army pilots here. This airport has many “firsts”: the first plane in the world to rise to an altitude of more than 1 mile took off from here, the first woman was taken on board here, the first helicopter also took off from College Park.
Private flights on small planes arrive here today. There is only one runway at the airport, only 800 meters long. The building itself is also small: one terminal, a ticket office, a cafe and an information desk. About 100 aircraft are located on the takeoff field – we are, of course, not talking about large civilian aircraft.
Convenient hotel website – OneTwoTrip.
