Former gateways to the world: Germany's former commercial airports

The history of German aviation is rich in pioneering spirit and innovation, but also in places that have lost their original purpose. The need to close or convert airfields is not a new phenomenon. Even in the early years of aviation, sites had to be abandoned because they no longer met the demands of ever larger and faster aircraft or because they stood in the way of urban expansion.

After World War II, the division of Germany and the Allied military presence led to a reassessment of many airfields. Later, with reunification and the liberalization of air traffic, economic considerations and inter-regional competition came to the fore, leading to further consolidation. Today, the former sites are often shaping a new era as technology parks, recreational areas, or residential areas.

Berlin-Tempelhof: The monument of the Berlin Airlift

Berlin-Tempelhof Airport , opened in 1923, is inextricably linked to Berlin's history. Its architectural significance as one of the largest pre-war buildings and its role as the linchpin of the Berlin Airlift (1948/49), which supplied West Berlin with vital goods during the Soviet blockade, have made it a symbol of freedom. For decades, Tempelhof was Berlin's main commercial airport, but its inner-city location and relatively short runways limited its capacity for the ever-increasing volume of air traffic.

The airport closed on October 30, 2008. The main reasons were its unsuitability for modern wide-body aircraft, limited expansion possibilities without major urban development, and high operating costs that made Tempelhof unprofitable for years. The political decision to consolidate all Berlin air traffic at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) sealed its fate.

Today, the former airfield, known as Tempelhofer Feld, is a popular recreational area. The runways serve as routes for joggers, skaters, and cyclists, while the expansive grassy areas offer space for leisure activities and even urban gardening . The imposing airport building is used for trade fairs, large events , and as a location for creative businesses . The site also temporarily housed refugees.

Berlin-Tegel: The hexagon on the northern edge of the city

Berlin-Tegel Airport "Otto Lilienthal" commenced operations on November 8, 2020. Originally built as a temporary military base for the French occupying forces during the Berlin Airlift, it developed into West Berlin's most important airport after the closure of Tempelhof. Its iconic, hexagonal terminal building, designed by Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg, allowed for extremely short distances between check-in and gate and was, for many travelers, a symbol of efficient and modern design.

The closure of Tegel Airport was the logical consequence of the strategy of a central major airport for Berlin and Brandenburg. Despite its popularity, Tegel had reached its capacity limits , and a sensible expansion that would have accommodated the increasing passenger numbers was hardly feasible due to the dense urban development. The opening of BER rendered Tegel obsolete, as it had previously done with Tempelhof, and fulfilled a long-planned political objective.

The site of the former Tegel Airport is being transformed into one of Europe's largest urban development areas. The "Urban Tech Republic ," a research and industrial park for urban technologies, is being created, designed to attract innovative companies and research institutions. Alongside this, the "Schumacher Quartier," a new, climate-neutral urban district with thousands of new apartments, is being developed. The distinctive terminal building will serve as a future campus for the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT) .

Munich-Riem: From the cradle of aviation to the exhibition center

The former Munich-Riem Airport was the international airport of the Bavarian capital until 1992. Opened in 1939, it served for decades after World War II as Bavaria's only gateway to the world. Legendary aircraft took off and landed at Riem, and the airport was the scene of numerous important events in aviation history. The infamous 1958 plane crash , in which a large part of the Manchester United football team perished, also occurred at Riem.

Riem Airport closed on May 16, 1992, with the opening of the new Munich Airport "Franz Josef Strauss" near Erding. The sharply increased passenger numbers and the limited expansion possibilities due to its inner-city location made a new airport unavoidable. The significant noise pollution for local residents was also a decisive factor in the relocation.

The sprawling former airport grounds were transformed into the New Munich Trade Fair Center, featuring a modern exhibition center and an adjacent congress center. The former runways were converted into main roads and green spaces. Today, the Riem Trade Fair District is a vibrant urban quarter with apartments, shops, schools, and recreational facilities, built upon the foundations of the former airport infrastructure.

Hannover-Vahrenwald: The beginnings of Hanoverian aviation

Hannover-Vahrenwald airfield was the city's first civilian airfield and was already in use for air traffic in the early 1920s. It was an important hub during the pioneering phase of German aviation and witnessed the first scheduled flights.

During the Second World War, the airfield was severely damaged and was not reopened for civilian air traffic after 1945. The reasons for this were the wartime destruction and the decision to build a new, larger, and more modern airport outside the city—the present-day Hannover-Langenhagen Airport—which could better meet the increased demands of air traffic and offered more development space.

The site of the former Vahrenwald airfield is now predominantly occupied by industrial parks and logistics centers . Only a few street names or local designations still recall the site's former importance to aviation.

Leipzig-Mockau: An airport through the ages

Leipzig-Mockau airfield was opened in 1913 as an airship port and air station, making it one of the oldest airfields in Germany. It played an important role in the development of German aviation, served as a factory and military airfield during both World Wars, and continued to be used for civilian purposes during the GDR era, including for agricultural aviation and as a site for aircraft maintenance.

The airport was finally closed to scheduled air traffic in 1991, although special-use airfield operations continued until 1998. The reasons for its closure as a commercial airport were the concentration of air traffic at the larger and more modern Leipzig/Halle Airport and the lack of economic viability of the Mockau site for regular scheduled flight operations. The infrastructure was outdated, and upgrading it to modern standards would have been uneconomical.

The former airport grounds have been largely used for the establishment of industrial and commercial enterprises . Some of the historic buildings, including the former hangar and the terminal building, have been preserved and still bear witness to its past as an airfield.

Dresden-Heller and Dresden-Klotzsche (old location): The aviation history of the Elbe city

Before today's Dresden Airport, located in Dresden-Klotzsche , there was the Dresden-Heller airfield . This served the early days of aviation in the region. With the advent of larger aircraft and increasing demand, the current site in Klotzsche was built in the mid-1930s as a more modern and larger replacement. The original Klotzsche airport has since undergone several extensive renovations and expansions, so that little of its original layout is recognizable today.

The Heller airfield was closed because it no longer met the demands of growing air traffic, necessitating modern infrastructure at a new, more suitable location in Klotzsche. The transformation of Klotzsche itself was a continuous process of adaptation to changing requirements for capacity, safety, and technology.

The site of the former Heller airfield is now occupied by residential and commercial areas . The original Dresden-Klotzsche site has been integrated into the current, expanded airport, with old runways and buildings giving way to new facilities.

Erfurt-Am Roten Berg: From commercial airport to residential area

Erfurt's first airport was located "Am Roten Berg" and opened in the 1920s. It served regional air traffic and was an important hub for aviation in Thuringia.

After the Second World War and the decision to relocate civilian flight operations to the present-day Erfurt-Weimar Airport in the Bindersleben district, the "Am Roten Berg" airfield was closed in 1974. The reasons were the spatial limitations of the inner-city airfield and the need for a more efficient airport outside the city limits to meet the demands of modern air traffic.

The residential area "Roter Berg" was built on the former airport grounds and is now a vibrant district of Erfurt. Only a few traces, such as the topographical location, remain to remind us of its former use as an airport.

Essen/Mülheim: The Ruhr area loses a regional airport

Essen/Mülheim Airport , strategically located between the cities of Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr, has a long history dating back to the 1920s. For many years it served as a regional airport for business flights, charter traffic, and general aviation . Despite its central location in the Ruhr region, it never managed to establish itself as a major commercial airport.

The airport closed to commercial passenger traffic on December 31, 2018, although general aviation and flight school operations continued for a while before eventually being largely discontinued. The reasons were primarily economic and lacking in profitability . The airport had been operating at a loss for years and could not compete with the larger regional airports, such as Düsseldorf and Dortmund. Limited takeoff and landing capacity for larger aircraft and the lack of significant demand for scheduled flights also contributed to the decision, as did the substantial infrastructure investments required, which were no longer financially viable for the owning municipalities.

The site is currently being transformed into a technology and innovation park . Part of the infrastructure, such as the former runway, will be retained for general aviation (gliding, ultralight aircraft). The old hangars and buildings are being repurposed to create offices and production facilities, reflecting the site's reorientation as a business and research center.

Zweibrücken: From US base to outlet paradise

Zweibrücken Airport , whose history is closely linked to its use as a military airfield by the US Air Force, attempted to establish itself as a civilian regional airport after the withdrawal of the armed forces. Following extensive investments in a new runway and a terminal, it commenced civilian operations in 1992 and was served by various low-cost airlines in the 2000s.

Despite initial successes and hopes that air traffic would revitalize the economically disadvantaged region, the airport was forced to file for insolvency and cease operations in November 2014. The reasons for the closure were multifaceted. The primary cause was insufficient passenger numbers and the resulting low profitability . The airport was unable to compete sustainably with the larger and better-connected airports in the region, such as Saarbrücken, Frankfurt-Hahn, and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. Furthermore, problems with state aid , which the European Commission deemed illegal, led to demands for repayment, sealing its financial fate.

Today, the majority of the site is home to the "Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet ," one of Germany's largest outlet centers. The former terminal building has been integrated into the outlet center, and the runways now serve as extensive parking areas. A small portion of the site continues to be used for general aviation, but without scheduled flights.

Strausberg: From commercial airport to lively special airfield

Strausberg airfield , located east of Berlin, also has an interesting history. Originally used as a military airfield, it was opened to civilian traffic after the Second World War and served for a time as a regional airport. During the GDR era, it played a role in domestic air traffic and also handled a small number of international flights.

However, its importance as a commercial airport declined rapidly after German reunification. With the concentration of air traffic at the larger airports in Berlin, Strausberg lost its role as a commercial airport and was downgraded to a special-use airfield in the 1990s . The low passenger numbers and high operating costs no longer justified its status as a commercial airport.

Today, Strausberg Airfield is a vibrant special-use airfield , intensively used for general aviation, business travel, flight training, air sports (such as gliding and parachuting), and by various aviation companies and their maintenance facilities. It exemplifies how a former commercial airport can be successfully transformed into a new niche that meets local and regional needs without competing with major hubs. The infrastructure continues to be actively used and contributes to the regional economy.

Magdeburg-Cochstedt: A failed dream of a regional airport

Magdeburg-Cochstedt Airport in Saxony-Anhalt is a relatively recent example of a failed commercial airport. After its initial use as a military airfield, it was extensively expanded after German reunification and opened as an international airport in 2011, with the aim of connecting the Magdeburg region to the European air network and strengthening its economic position.

The dream of a thriving regional airport didn't last long. As early as 2013, the airport had to cease scheduled flight operations, and in 2016 it was completely closed to commercial air traffic. The reasons for its failure were primarily the lack of demand and the low occupancy rates of the few flight connections offered. Despite intensive efforts to attract airlines, Cochstedt couldn't compete with established airports like Leipzig/Halle or Berlin. The lack of profitability and high operating costs ultimately led to the cessation of regular service.

The site of the former Cochstedt Airport was acquired by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2019 and is now used as the National Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) . Here, drones and other autonomous aircraft are tested and further developed. This is a remarkable example of the complete transformation of a former airport from a passenger hub to a highly specialized research and development site.

Further examples of former commercial and regional airports in Germany:

The list of airfields that have lost their original function is long and diverse, reflecting the dynamic development and often difficult economic conditions in aviation.

• Cottbus North Airport: This airfield in Brandenburg had a varied history as a military and, at times, also as a civilian airfield. It was closed on June 11, 2003. The reasons were the military conversion after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the lack of perspective as a civil airport in competition with larger locations. Today, the southern part of the site houses a Aviation Museum, and the remaining buildings are partly used commercially or are falling into disrepair.
• Kassel-Waldau Airport: The airfield in the Kassel district of Waldau, which existed from 1924 to 1970, was the predecessor of today's Kassel-Calden Airport. It was closed in 1970 because it increasing demands to a modern commercial airport was no longer fair and the construction of a new, larger airport in Calden, which was also suitable for jet aircraft, became necessary. The site now houses the Kassel-Waldau Industrial Park.
• Bremen-Neustadt Airport (old location): Before today's Bremen Airport took its final form and established itself at its current location, there were former airfields in Bremen that served the beginnings of aviation. Relocation and realignment of Bremen Airport meant that these original locations lost their importance and were built over because they were no longer suitable for the growing air traffic.
• Trier-Fünfbrunnen Airport: This airfield served general aviation and was not significant as a major commercial airport. Many small airfields that once played a regional role were either closed down completely or downgraded to special landing sites because Economic viability for regular commercial flight operations is no longer given or larger regional airports nearby met demand. The land is often used for agricultural or commercial purposes.
• Bonn-Hangelar Airport: Although Bonn-Hangelar Airport is still used today as an important special landing site for general aviation and research purposes (DLR), it has at times had a greater significance for civil and military air traffic in the Bonn area. Relocation of capital city functions to Berlin and the Proximity to the major Cologne/Bonn airport led to Hangelar not being developed into a large commercial airport, but rather concentrating its role on specific uses.
• Ingolstadt-Manching Airport (formerly shared civilian use): Ingolstadt-Manching Airport is today primarily a military airfield (home to the German Defense Technical Center 61 and Airbus Defence and Space). However, in the past it also served as a civilian shared use, which, however, was largely discontinued over time as military use dominated and insufficient demand for a large civil regional airport, especially since Munich Airport is easily accessible.
• Paderborn-Mönkeloh Airport (old location): Today's Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport replaced the older Paderborn-Mönkeloh Airport. Closure of the old location was necessary to create a modern and efficient airport that could meet the growing demands of air traffic in the region and had a longer runway. The former site was mostly reclaimed or used for commercial purposes.
• Detmold Airport: Another example of a former airfield whose civilian use was severely restricted or completely eliminated in favor of other uses or the concentration at larger airports. Here, too, lack of economic efficiency and the Proximity to major commercial airports a role.
• Finsterwalde-Schacksdorf airfield: Originally a military airfield, later used for civilian purposes, this airfield also lost its importance for scheduled flights and is now primarily used for general aviation or is lying idle.
• Cottbus-Drewitz Airport: Also a former military airfield, which was considered for civilian use after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but was unable to establish itself as a commercial airport and today serves primarily as a special landing site for general aviation.
• Gütersloh Airport: A former military airfield that lost its importance for scheduled flights after the withdrawal of the British armed forces and now serves as a special landing area for general aviation and business flights.

Adaptation to changing circumstances – A constant evolution

The history of closed commercial and regional airports in Germany is a story of adaptation and change. It illustrates how priorities in aviation have shifted – away from a decentralized structure to a concentration on a few large, efficient hubs that can be operated more economically. The reasons for the closures are complex and include a lack of economic viability, a lack of capacity for modern aircraft, political decisions in favor of centralized infrastructure, and fierce competition in the industry.

Yet these former airfields have rarely remained derelict; they have been converted into parks, technology centers, shopping destinations, research sites, or new urban districts, thus continuing their history in new ways. They are testaments to dynamic development and demonstrate the capacity to transform and redefine spaces in a constantly changing world.