Located in the Porz district, the airport is adjacent to Wahner Heide, a nature reserve. It is conveniently situated in the Cologne Bonn Region, just 12 km [7.5 mi; 6.5 nmi] southeast of Cologne's city center and 16 km [9.9 mi; 8.6 nmi] northeast of Bonn. Cologne Bonn Airport is one of the few airports in Germany that operates 24 hours a day and serves as a hub for Eurowings, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines, in addition to being a focus city for various leisure and low-cost carriers. The airport also hosts a training center for the German (DLR) and European (EAC) astronaut programs, which are part of the European Space Agency.
Cologne Bonn Airport (EDDK) is located just 49 km [30 mi; 26 nmi] south of the larger Düsseldorf Airport, the primary airport for the Rhine-Ruhr region, and it competes with Frankfurt Airport, Germany's largest international airport, which can be reached from Cologne in about 47 minutes via the Intercity Express high-speed train. The airport is co-owned by the City of Cologne [31.12%], the Federal Republic of Germany [30.94%], the State of North Rhine-Westphalia [30.94%], the City of Bonn (6.06%], and two counties: Rhein-Sieg-Kreis [0.59%] and Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis [0.35%].
History.
In 1938, the first airfield was established for the German Luftwaffe. Following World War II, the British military took control and expanded the airport, renaming it RAF Wahn - B-119. During this time, a runway measuring 1,866 meters was constructed.
Terminals.
The older Terminal 1, built in the 1970s, showcases a design characterized by large areas of bare concrete. It has a u-shaped main building that includes shops, restaurants, check-in and service facilities, along with a visitors' deck on the roof. Additionally, there are star-shaped piers B and C, each with five aircraft stands, and a central airside hall added in 2004, which features joint security-check facilities, more shops, and restaurants, as well as three extra stands. All ten stands at both piers are equipped with jet bridges, while three others utilize walk-boarding. There are also several bus-boarding stands available on the apron. Terminal 1 primarily serves Eurowings, which occupies most of the landside check-in facilities, along with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. It also has its own direct connection to the railway.
Construction of Terminal 2 started in June 1997, and it officially opened for operations on June 21, 2000. This terminal is situated to the north of Terminal 1. While both terminals have their own check-in facilities, they are linked by a landside walkway. The airport is currently in the process of seeking approval for an airside connection between the two terminals as part of a plan-approval procedure. Terminal 2 features a modern rectangular design made of glass and steel, equipped with eight stands that have jet bridges, along with several stands for bus boarding. It serves various airlines, including Ryanair and Iran Air. Additionally, Terminal 2 is directly connected to the airport's railway station via its basement level. On the base level, the terminal also includes an interdenominational prayer room.