Flughafen Düsseldorf Webcam

The biggest airport in North Rhine-Westphalia


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Hosted by:
  • Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH
  • Postfach 30 03 63
  • Düsseldorf 40403 - Germany
  • +49 (0) 211 421-0
  • [email protected]
  • https://www.dus.com/

Flughafen Düsseldorf History

Flughafen Düsseldorf, also known as Düsseldorf Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Germany, serving the North Rhine-Westphalia region. The airport has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 20th century.

In 1909, a group of aviation enthusiasts founded the Aero-Club Düsseldorf, which became the driving force behind the development of aviation in the region. In 1927, the first airfield was opened in Düsseldorf, which was initially used for military purposes. However, with the growing interest in commercial aviation, plans were made to expand the airfield and develop it into a commercial airport.

In 1948, after World War II, the Allied Forces took over the airfield and began to reconstruct it. The airport was officially reopened in April 1949 with a new runway and terminal building. In the following years, the airport underwent further expansion and modernization to meet the growing demand for air travel.

In 1964, the airport opened its first international terminal, which was followed by the construction of a second terminal in 1977. In the 1990s, the airport experienced significant growth, with passenger numbers reaching over 10 million per year.

Today, Flughafen Düsseldorf is one of the busiest airports in Germany, serving over 25 million passengers per year. The airport has continued to invest in modernization and expansion, with the construction of a new terminal building and the expansion of its runway system in recent years. Flughafen Düsseldorf has also been recognized for its environmental efforts, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and implementing sustainable practices.

Historical Facts

  • During World War II, the airport was used by the German military as a base for fighter aircraft.
  • In April 1949, the airport was officially reopened to civilian air traffic by British military authorities.
  • The airport's first terminal building was designed by renowned German architect Paul Schneider-Esleben and opened in 1977.
  • Flughafen Düsseldorf was the first airport in Germany to receive ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system in 2001.
  • In 2005, the airport opened its third terminal, which was designed to handle low-cost carriers.
  • The airport is home to a museum dedicated to the history of aviation in the region, the Aviation Museum Düsseldorf.
  • Flughafen Düsseldorf was the first airport in Germany to install a fully automated baggage handling system in 1986.
  • The airport's longest runway measures 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in length.
  • In 2019, Flughafen Düsseldorf was named the best airport in Germany by Skytrax, a leading aviation industry rating organization.
  • The airport has served as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including the German TV series "Alarm für Cobra 11" and the Hollywood blockbuster "Die Hard 2."
Düsseldorf Airport fire

There have been several fires at Flughafen Düsseldorf over the years, but the most significant one occurred on April 11, 1996. The fire broke out in the airport's Terminal A, which was then the main terminal building, and quickly spread throughout the building.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a short circuit in an electrical transformer room, which ignited the insulation material and caused the fire to spread rapidly. The fire was exacerbated by the large amounts of plastic and synthetic materials used in the construction of the terminal, which produced highly toxic smoke.

The fire caused significant damage to the terminal, including the destruction of the roof and upper floors. It also led to the evacuation of thousands of passengers and the closure of the airport for several days. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but over 80 people were injured, many of them suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire prompted a review of fire safety measures at the airport, and new regulations were introduced to improve fire prevention, detection, and response. The airport's terminal buildings were also redesigned to incorporate better fire-resistant materials and improved ventilation systems.

Despite the damage caused by the fire, the airport was able to resume operations relatively quickly, thanks to the efforts of the emergency services and airport staff. Today, Terminal A has been replaced by a modern terminal complex, and Flughafen Düsseldorf continues to be one of the busiest airports in Germany.

Development since the 2000s

Since the 2000s, Flughafen Düsseldorf has undergone significant development and modernization to meet the growing demand for air travel and improve the passenger experience. Here are some of the key developments:

  • Terminal expansion: In 2001, the airport opened its third terminal, which was designed to handle low-cost carriers. Terminal B was also expanded in 2003 to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
  • Runway expansion: In 2005, the airport extended its main runway to 3,000 meters to enable it to handle larger aircraft.
  • Terminal modernization: In 2014, the airport began a major renovation of Terminal A, which was completed in 2019. The renovation included a new façade, a redesigned departure hall, and improved passenger facilities.
  • Environmental sustainability: Flughafen Düsseldorf has also focused on reducing its environmental impact, with measures such as the use of electric vehicles, energy-efficient lighting, and the installation of solar panels on the terminal roofs.
  • Improved transportation connections: In 2016, the airport opened a new SkyTrain system, which connects the terminal buildings to the airport's rail station and nearby parking facilities.
  • New destinations: The airport has expanded its range of destinations, adding new routes to destinations such as New York, Beijing, and Dubai.
  • Digitalization: Flughafen Düsseldorf has also embraced digital technology to enhance the passenger experience, with services such as online check-in, mobile boarding passes, and a digital airport guide.

Overall, Flughafen Düsseldorf has undergone significant development and modernization since the 2000s, with a focus on improving the passenger experience, reducing its environmental impact, and expanding its range of destinations.

Geography

Flughafen Düsseldorf is located in the western part of Germany, approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of the city of Düsseldorf. The airport is situated in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, which is one of the largest urban areas in Europe.

The airport covers an area of approximately 6.13 square kilometers (2.37 square miles) and has three runways, the longest of which measures 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in length. The airport is situated at an elevation of 147 meters (482 feet) above sea level and has a single terminal complex, which is divided into four interconnected halls.

The airport is located close to several major highways, including the A44 and A52, which provide easy access to the surrounding area. It is also served by several public transportation options, including the SkyTrain, which connects the terminal buildings to the airport's rail station, and a number of bus lines that provide connections to the city center and other nearby destinations.

The airport is located in a densely populated urban area, with several residential neighborhoods located nearby. Despite this, the airport has implemented measures to mitigate noise pollution, including the use of noise barriers, flight path optimization, and restrictions on nighttime flights.

Designers in Düsseldorf

The international fashion scene is attracted to Düsseldorf like moths to a flame. Almost every famous designer has his own shop in the metropolis on the Rhine, others live and work in Düsseldorf, and several of them are prize winners.

Such as Tristano Onofri. The designer from Rimini, Italy, has been living and working in the fashion city on the Rhine for almost 30 years. After all this time, he is still convinced that the metropolis on the Rhine is the fashion city par excellence.

Sabine Schumacher finished her studies at the Modeschule Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf fashion school) in 1995. Her first collection, which she presented at the Igedo just one year later, was awarded a prize for excellent design by the Ministry of Economy of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Since 1997 she has been selling her own label from her premises on Comeniusstraße.

Peter O. Mahler makes avant-garde fashion with extraordinary cuts and extravagant materials from paper to linnen, which is sold by 150 retailers in Europe, the USA and Japan. He has a show-room on Cecilienallee.

Renate Harvans designs her collection in a studio on Jahnstraße - simple and to the point the day fashion, elegant and exqusite the evening robes.

Hanns Friedrichs, the most senior, to some known as the 'Dior from the Rhine', has now retired from the catwalk. In his time, he regularly travelled to Hollywood where he dressed Joan Collins, a.o., for some sequences of the Denver Clan.