History of the airport
On 11 July 1935 the first commercial aircraft took off from and landed at the newly-built Dresden Airport.
In the course of its history Dresden Airport has been particularly affected by social, economic and technological changes – just like other aeronautical institutions. The stages of development which can be observed in Dresden-Klotzsche reflect the radical changes in society throughout the past century, the relations between ecomonic growth and aviation, but also the tremendous progress in aeronautical engineering.
Many aspects of the development of Dresden Airport have parallels in the history of German aviation as a whole. In particular, the period between 1955 and 1961, when Dresden was transformed into the centre of aircraft engineering in the GDR, makes the history of this airport a unique one and has shaped the design and atmosphere of the airport right up until today.
Today's Dresden Airport Terminal, which was rebuilt from a hangar formerly used as an assembly hall by the aircraft industry, is a visible expression of the thought given by the industry to its own, not always consistent history.
We have brought together here a brief overview of the history of aviation in Dresden and of Dresden Airport. For more detailed information we recommend you the book »Flughafen Dresden – Geschichte und Gegenwart der Dresdner Luftfahrt«.
- 1784 to 1934
From the first balloon journeys to the beginnings of air traffic in Dresden - 1935 to 1945
Dresden gets a new airport – commercial air traffic and military training - 1945 to 1960
Soviet training ground and a new start for civil aviation - 1954 to 1961
Centre of aircraft engineering in the GDR - 1961 to 1989
Commercial airport with international connections - 1989 to 2001
Significant growth, modernisation and major investments - 2001 until today
New Dresden Airport Terminal, ongoing investments to stay fit for the future