Our History

Verwaltungsgebäude der Baden-Airpark GmbH

Baden-Airpark GmbH Our history

Find out how Baden-Airpark has developed over the years. Immerse yourself in the milestones, significant events and exciting stories that have shaped this location.

1997 Beginning

of civil aviation at FKB

The era of civil aviation at the Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden (FKB) begins on 17 May 1997 with the first flight of the airline Spanair to Palma de Mallorca.

Over 20 million

Passengers since then

40 years of military use come to an end. The site develops into the region's central airport.

Over 3,500

Workplaces

Today, Baden-Airpark is an important economic factor and employer in its dual function as an airport location and business park.

1953 until today The history of Baden-Airpark

1953 to 1994 Military use of the Baden-Söllingen airfield

It all began in 1991 with an idea from the Karlsruhe Regional Council and a number of entrepreneurs from Mittelbaden: When the Canadian airbase in Söllingen was closed in 1994, a regional airport was to be built on the 700-hectare site near Baden-Baden, which is now known as Baden-Airpark.

1997 The first charter flight from “Baden-Airport”

On 17 May, the first charter flight of the Spanish airline Spanair to Palma de Mallorca took off from the former “Baden-Airport”.

2001 The foundation of the new Baden-Airpark GmbH

On 1 January, the new Baden-Airpark GmbH was founded with a majority shareholding by Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH. Baden-Airport became the Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden (FKB).

2001 A special moment for the new airport

In April, the then Hapag-Lloyd took off from the new Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden for the first time.

2003 New opening of the Airpark Business Centre

The Airpark Business Centre opened and created around 5,000 m² of office space and 1,000 m² of retail space. In addition, the then German airline airberlin and Ryanair flew from FKB for the first time that year.

2005 Inauguration of the new terminal

The inauguration of the new terminal, which is designed for an annual capacity of up to two million passengers, took place in 2005.

2006 Commissioning of the biomass power plant

The biomass power plant on the site was put into operation. It supplies the terminal completely with district heating.

2008 to 2009 One million passengers

In 2008, the Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden handled over one million passengers for the first time. This was a major milestone for FKB! The renovation of the runway with instrument landing system from 2008 to 2009 made it possible to operate flights even in unfavourable visibility conditions.

In addition, the B&B Hotel opened directly at the terminal to offer passengers and business travellers the opportunity to stay overnight at the airport.

2010 Steady growth

Baden-Airpark counted 130 companies with over 2,000 employees for the first time and developed steadily.

Luftbild Gewerbepark mit Flughafen im Hintergrund

2012 New home for two Boeing 737-800s

With the stationing of two Boeing 737-800s, the Airport Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden became the fourth Ryanair base in Germany.

This year, FKB welcomed its 10 millionth passenger since 1997.

2016 Jó nap, WizzAir!

The Hungarian airline Wizz Air took off from FKB for the first time.

2022 There’s something to celebrate!

In its 25th anniversary year, FKB cracked the 20 million passenger mark since 1997.

2024 two new routes

The new Romanian airline Bees Airlines connects the FKB
with two new routes in Romania.