Did you know this airfield once saw Adolf Hitler himself touch down? This is Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus. It stands three kilometers west of Flensburg’s heart. Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus got its name from the nearby Schäferhaus area.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. The area was not always an airfield. It began as a large parade ground in the 19th century. Then, in July 1911, aviation pioneer Carl Schall took off. He flew his Grade-Eindecker aircraft. Schall performed flights for the public.
Fast forward to 1917 and aviation expanded. The Seefliegerhorst Fahrensodde was built. It was located eight kilometers northeast of Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus.
After World War I, things changed drastically. The Treaty of Versailles demanded German disarmament. Military air facilities were dismantled. Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus was largely torn down.
The story doesn’t end there. By 1923 Flensburg residents started gliding. They used the newly established Segelfliegerhorst Kielseng.
Commercial aviation arrived in 1925. The Hamburg–Kiel–Westerland route began operating. Then, in 1932, a significant event occurred. Adolf Hitler landed at Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus. He was in Flensburg for a campaign speech.
Expansion came in 1940. Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus expanded. The area south of the vineyard was leveled. During World War II, it was known as Fliegerhorst Flensburg-Weiche. The Allies called it Airfield B.166. The airfield was bombed several times. In May 1945, British forces seized the airfield.
Post-war, the British Air Force continued using the site. Squadrons of Typhoon IB aircraft were stationed here. In July 1948, the occupiers destroyed the runway.
Commercial flights returned in 1963. The Flensburg–Hamburg route was established. Lufthansa set up a pilot school in 1965.
Between 1968 and 1971, Lufthansa trained pilots here. In 1969, students helped evaluate landing precision.
In the 1970s, there were flights to Frankfurt with a stop in Kiel. Northern Air Charter ceased operations in 2003.
Today, Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus serves various aviation activities. Motor planes, helicopters, gliders, and even seaplanes use it. Water planes connect to the Flensburg-Sonwik water airport. Baltic Seaplane took over seaplane operations in 2015.
Buses connect Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus to Flensburg. Line 33 stops at the Schäferhaus stop.
Flugplatz Flensburg-Schäferhaus has a rich history. It has evolved from a parade ground. It became a military airfield. It is now a regional airport. It reflects Flensburg’s changing times. This place witnessed aviation history unfold. It is still a vital part of the region.