From the First Take-Off to the Present Day
Innsbruck Airport looks back on a rich and eventful history. From the early beginnings of aviation to a modern airport in the heart of the Alps, it has continuously evolved over the decades. Technological advances, special events and dedicated individuals have shaped the airport and made it what it is today: an important transport hub and a gateway to the world for Tyrol.
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck Ph-32143
1 June 1925
Opening of Innsbruck Airport in Reichenau and commencement of scheduled flight operations on the Munich–Innsbruck route
4 October 1925
Aerobatic displays by Ernst Udet
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck Ph-32107
14 March 1926
The sightseeing aircraft “Tirol” is christened
18 April 1926
Commencement of aircraft altitude transport operations to supply alpine mountain huts
1 November 1926
Integration into the route network of ÖLAG (Austrian Air Transport Company Ltd.)
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck, Kreutz Collection KR/NE-4623
1930s
The introduction of glider aerobatics, with Innsbruck serving as a stopover for various powered flight sports events
1 March 1940
Seizure of the airport by the German Air Force
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck Ph-31392
15 January 1948
Opening of the newly constructed “Innsbruck West” Airport on the northern Ulfiswiese by the French occupying forces
Spring 1949
First charter flights from Amsterdam, Paris and London land in Innsbruck
Image source: Ringler Archive
From the 1950s onwards
Launch of various scheduled air services, including routes operated by KLM, Swiss Air Lines and Eagle Airways
8 October 1954
Founding of Tiroler Flughafenbetriebsgesellschaft m.b.H. (Tyrolean Airport Operating Company)
13 September 1955
Handover of “Innsbruck West” Airport to Austria, subsequently renamed “Innsbruck Kranebitten”
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck, undated, aerial photograph
5 October 1958
First international airfield race
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck FHI_A1_0259
5 September 1959
Integration into the route network of Austrian Airlines with the Vienna–Innsbruck–Zurich service
11 September 1961
Commencement of construction work for the new airport facilities on the southern Ulfiswiese
100 Years
Innsbruck Airport
An impressive illustrated book by Dr. Tanja Chraust is dedicated to 100 years of Innsbruck Airport. The book is now available in selected bookstores as well as directly at Innsbruck Airport.
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck, Ph-33926, aerial photograph
24 April 1965
Official commissioning of the newly constructed airport facilities under the name “Innsbruck Airport”
1970s
For several years, air sports dominated aviation activities at Innsbruck Airport
Image source: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck FHI_A6_0204
Late 1970s
Following the approval of a new approach procedure (1976), a significant upswing in charter flight traffic from the winter season 1978/79 onwards; capacity expansion from 1981
Image source: Ringler Archive
1 April 1980
Tyrolean Airways launches flights to Vienna and Zurich using the four‑engine Dash 7 aircraft
1 April 1983
Deployment of the air rescue helicopter “Christophorus 1”
29 October 1990
Commissioning of the newly constructed control tower
Image source: Ringler Archive
1997
For the first time, more than half a million annual passengers (534,262) were recorded
April 2000
Commissioning of the multi‑storey car park; extension completed in 2015
28 September 2006
Awarded the “Airport Achievement Award” for 2006/07 by the European Regional Airlines Association
Image source: Innsbruck Airport
June 2007
First-time recipient of the EMAS Award 2007 (EMAS = Eco‑Management and Audit Scheme)
14 December 2007
EasyJet connects Innsbruck for the first time with Bristol and London
Image source: Innsbruck Airport
June 2008
Increased flight activity due to the UEFA European Football Championship and the departure of European champions Spain
8 October 2009
Official ceremony marking the completion of the safety project “Runway Apron Extension / River Inn Relocation”
Image source: Innsbruck Airport
22 December 2010
For the first time in its history, Innsbruck Airport welcomes its one‑millionth annual passenger
Image source: Peter Norz
11 March 2015
Presentation of the new airport logo
Image source: Peter Norz
30 November 2017
Opening of the Business Lounge named “Tyrol Lounge”
March 2020
The global COVID‑19 pandemic abruptly brings an otherwise successful winter season to an end
Image source: Peter Norz
September / October 2021
General refurbishment of the runway
Image source: Peter Norz
Transavia becomes the airline with the highest passenger numbers, followed by EasyJet and Austrian Airlines
Image source: Christian Schöpf
1 June 2025
Innsbruck Airport celebrates its 100th anniversary
18 November 2025
Presentation of the illustrated book “100 Years of Innsbruck Airport” by Tanja Chraust
This is a selection of events and does not claim to be exhaustive.
Header image sources: City Archives / City Museum Innsbruck Ph-32149 (left), Ringler Archive (right)