Dresden Airport's 90-year anniversary: a blend of past and future

Dresden Airport, a hub of aviation and regional development, is gearing up for its 90th anniversary on July 11, 2025. The airport, which opened its doors in 1935 in Klotzsche as a military and civilian airport, has come a long way since then.

In the early years, civilian air traffic reached a preliminary peak with nearly 8,000 passengers just two years after opening. The political change in 1989 and the freedom to travel led to a significant increase in air traffic at Dresden Airport. Between 1990 and June 2025, the airport recorded 1,156,039 aircraft movements and the number of passengers increased from around 200,000 in 1990 to over one million by 1992.

Today, over 4,000 people work directly or indirectly on the grounds of Dresden Airport, many in the traditional aviation industry. The airport has also attracted prominent companies in the semiconductor industry, such as TSMC, GlobalFoundries, Infineon, X-Fab, and Bosch, who have settled near the airport.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Dresden Airport is offering guided tours that delve into the airport's rich history. These tours include a drive over the apron and a visit to the last remaining fuselage of the legendary "152" aircraft, the first German jet-powered passenger aircraft developed in Dresden, which tragically crashed in March 1959. The first flight captain of the "152" was Hans Piechulek.

The tours also focus on the life of Melli Beese, the first German female pilot from Dresden. Lectures and presentations on aviation history are planned, including one by retired captain Dr. Ulrich Unger on October 26, 2025.

An exhibition about the airport's history is held in the terminal, with admission being free but registration required due to limited capacity. Registration can be done at www.mdf-ag.com/melli-beese.

In the 1950s, Dresden Airport became a center of aviation again, with the production of the Il-14P passenger aircraft starting in 1956. The airport's runway was renovated and extended in 2006 to secure its future. Infrastructure at Dresden Airport was gradually expanded in the following years, including the construction of a new terminal, an integrated S-Bahn station, and a larger parking garage.

The airport was occupied by Soviet troops in 1945 and civilian air traffic halted during World War II, serving only the Luftwaffe. However, the airport has since bounced back, setting impulses for aviation and regional development as a mobility partner, innovation hub, and regional economic driver.

Dresden Airport aims to continue this trajectory, looking forward to another 90 years of service and growth. Airport History Tours can be booked online starting at 18 euros per person. Don't miss out on this opportunity to step back in time and witness the evolution of aviation at Dresden Airport.