Düsseldorf ranks as the fourth-busiest airport in Germany, accommodating 16 million passengers in 2022. It serves as a hub for Eurowings and is a focus city for several other airlines. The airport features three passenger terminals and two runways, capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
Düsseldorf Airport is the main airport for the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, which is not only the largest in Germany but also among the largest in the world. Located in Düsseldorf-Lohausen, it is close to major business centers in Düsseldorf and Essen, with other cities like Duisburg, Krefeld, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Neuss, and Wuppertal within a 20-kilometer [12 miles] radius. The airport covers a compact area of 6.13 square kilometers [2.37 square miles], which is relatively small compared to other airports of similar capacity, contributing to its reputation for short distances. It employs over 18,200 people.
In 2022, with around 16 million passengers, Düsseldorf Airport was the fourth busiest in Germany, following Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport, and ranked as the 31st-busiest airport in Europe.
The city of Düsseldorf owns 50% of the airport, while the other half is held by various commercial entities. Düsseldorf Airport operates as a public-private partnership, with ownership split between the city of Düsseldorf and Airport Partners GmbH [ which includes 40% AviAlliance GmbH, 40% Aer Rianta International cpt, and 20% AviC GmbH & Co. KGaA ].
Terminals.
Düsseldorf Airport consists of three terminals linked by a central spine, functioning as concourses within a single terminal structure. The terminals can accommodate up to 22 million passengers annually.
Terminal A. - Opened in 1977, Terminal A has 16 gates [A01–A16] that are mainly utilized by Lufthansa and Eurowings, as well as their airline partners and members of the Star Alliance, such as Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Swiss International Air Lines. The terminal also features two Lufthansa lounges and underwent a major refurbishment for two years after a fire in 1996.
Terminal B. - was first opened in 1973 and has 11 gates [B01–B11] that serve domestic and EU flights, mainly operated by SkyTeam and Oneworld members like Air France, British Airways, KLM, Finnair, Iberia, and ITA Airways, as well as some Star Alliance members such as Aegean Airlines. Additionally, leisure airlines like TUIfly and Condor operate from this terminal. Terminal B features an observation deck, which was closed after the COVID-19 pandemic for economic reasons, and one contract lounge. Following the 1996 fire, the entire terminal was demolished and rebuilt, reopening in 2001.
Terminal C. - Opened in 1986, Terminal C has 8 gates [C01–C08] dedicated to non-Schengen flights operated by non-Star Alliance airlines, with the exception of Turkish Airlines. It primarily handles long-haul flights from carriers such as Emirates and Etihad Airways. Terminal C offers direct access to Airport City's Maritim Hotel, part of a German hotel chain, and includes lounges operated by the airport and Emirates. This terminal was the least impacted by the 1996 fire, reopening the same year after extensive maintenance, making it the only operational terminal at Düsseldorf Airport for several years. Terminal C also features the airport's sole parking position equipped with three jet-bridges to accommodate the Airbus A380.
Executive Terminal.Jet Aviation runs a dedicated terminal exclusively for private and corporate clients.
Runways and apron. - Düsseldorf features two runways, measuring 3,000 metres [9,843 ft] and 2,700 metres [8,858 ft] in length. There are proposals to extend the 3,000-metre [9,843 ft] runway to 3,600 metres [11,811 ft], but the town of Ratingen has been opposing this expansion, as it falls within the runway's approach path. The aprons provide 107 aircraft parking positions.