Ceremony in the terminal to mark the airport company's 75th anniversary

Cologne Bonn has been shaping mobility in the region since 1950.
A hub for passengers and freight in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Moving into the coming decades with innovation and responsibility.

From a small airfield to an international hub: Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH was founded on 8 December 1950 – marking the beginning of the airport's success story as a central transport hub. The airport has already celebrated the airport company's 75th anniversary with various events and activities over the past few months. The highlight of the celebrations was ‘The Night of CGN – Destination: FUTURE’ ceremony on Thursday (11 December) in Terminal 2, which was specially converted for the evening.

Around 500 guests from politics, business and society paid tribute to the airport's historical significance for the region and its current contribution to mobility in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond. Among the guests were personalities from state and local politics, such as North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst, NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer and Cologne's Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester. Many decision-makers from the aviation and logistics industry were also in attendance, including Jens Bischof, CEO of Eurowings and President of the German Aviation Association, and Daniel Carrera, Head of UPS Europe.

The anniversary celebrations focused on looking back at important milestones in the airport's history, the current challenges facing a modern transport hub and, above all, looking ahead to the issues of the future that will affect Cologne Bonn Airport and the entire airport location. In their speeches – including those by Minister President Hendrik Wüst, Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester, State Secretary Ulrich Lange and the Chairman of the Airport Supervisory Board, Prof. Klaus-Dieter Scheurle – the milestones of the past 75 years were highlighted, as were the central goals for the coming decades.

Thilo Schmid, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH, particularly emphasised the airport's role as a central hub for passengers and freight, as well as its responsibility for future-oriented and sustainable development. ‘Over the decades, our airport has developed into a central hub for air traffic – a location that creates mobility for people and is also an engine for the economy and a workplace for around 14,500 people,’ said Schmid. "This success is based on the dedicated work of our employees, strong partnerships with airlines, logistics companies and authorities, and close cooperation with the region. With innovative technologies, modern concepts for travel comfort and quality of stay, and a clear focus on sustainability, we are strengthening the location and securing its role as an efficient airport for the future.‘

Cenk Özöztürk, Chief Operating Officer of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH: ’What makes our airport particularly strong are the people who work here and ensure that it operates reliably every day, around the clock. On this foundation, we are consistently developing the location further – with smart investments in infrastructure, modern digital solutions and services that make processes even more reliable and our offerings even more attractive. Thanks to our flexibility and our great willingness to continuously develop, our airport remains strong even in a dynamic environment."

‘75 years of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH stand for continuity, economic strength and regional significance: the airport is indispensable for travellers and the economy and is also one of the largest workplaces in the region,’ said Prof. Klaus-Dieter Scheurle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. ‘The dedicated work of all employees makes the airport a crisis-proof company. The entire workforce is consistently looking ahead: by recognising and seizing a wide range of opportunities, the airport of tomorrow is already being shaped today.’

Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester: "Cologne Bonn Airport is an important transport and logistics hub not only for Cologne, but for the entire region. It is a real economic driver, securing jobs, retaining companies and thus creating long-term prospects. At the same time, the location offers space for important innovations, from defence to European space and aviation. Last but not least, Cologne Bonn Airport has been our gateway to the world for 75 years now and is a very special part of Cologne's identity."

Minister President Hendrik Wüst said: "For 75 years, Cologne Bonn Airport has been an important pillar of the transport infrastructure in North Rhine-Westphalia. For over ten million passengers a year, it is much more than a transport hub – it is their direct access to Europe and the world. As a central logistics hub for air freight traffic, the airport is also an important economic factor for the entire region. It is therefore indispensable for the people in the Cologne-Bonn area, as well as for our companies and the economy."

Ulrich Lange, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport: "On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, I would like to congratulate Cologne Bonn Airport on its 75th anniversary – an airport with a significant role: with over ten million passengers a year, it is one of the largest commercial airports in Germany, one of the most important cargo airports in our country and, due to its 24/7 operation, of particular importance for the region as a business location. That is exactly what we need. In order to further strengthen air transport in Germany and also to actively support Cologne/Bonn, the Federal Government has taken action and adopted a package of measures that includes plans to reduce air traffic tax and air traffic control charges. Together, we will thus succeed in further expanding the connectivity and value creation of the air transport industry. Our goal is a networked and sustainable air transport system.

The event ‘The Night of CGN – Destination: FUTURE’ took place in Terminal 2, whose departure level in the public area was transformed into an event location with stages and themed islands for the ceremony. Elements such as check-in counters and signage were incorporated into the overall picture. Dance performances and live music, culinary specialities from Cologne, Bonn and the most popular destinations in the route network, as well as a large birthday cake, gave the event a special touch. In addition, guests were able to explore interactive exhibition stations on current projects such as the ‘Next Chapter’ programme, which is giving the airport's terminals a completely new look, as well as topics such as sustainability, e-mobility and social engagement in the region.