Opened in 1935 Dresden Airport initially served commercial flights. Its importance to the military grew significantly during the Third Reich. During World War II it became exclusively a military airport. An airlift to Breslau supported German troops during the Siege of Breslau. Despite attempts to destroy it before Allied occupation civilian employees resisted. The airport served as a Soviet army education center afterward. Commercial flights resumed in 1957. International flights to Eastern Bloc countries followed in 1959.
The East German government planned an aviation industry centered in Dresden. The VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden plant played a key role. While this effort failed it significantly impacted the airport’s design and atmosphere. Aircraft manufacturing ended in 1961. The plant became VEB Flugzeugwerft Dresden a maintenance facility for Eastern Bloc aircraft. A military transport squadron was also based at Dresden Airport. Passenger traffic remained limited to domestic routes and a few Eastern Bloc destinations.
After German reunification Dresden Airport expanded. Flights to Western European capitals were added. Traffic increased sevenfold in the first half of the 1990s. A second terminal opened in 1995. The current terminal a former aircraft assembly hall was added in 2001. In 2008 passenger numbers reached a record 1860364. The airport rebranded as Dresden International that year. However setbacks occurred. Etihad Regional ended its operations in 2015. CityJet followed suit. The demise of Germania in 2019 led to Sundair taking over some routes. In 2024 Ryanair terminated all its Dresden routes citing high operational costs.
Today Dresden Airport has a modern passenger terminal. It includes shops restaurants and service agencies. Seven aircraft parking positions with jet bridges are available. Additional apron stands accommodate mid-sized aircraft like the Airbus A320. Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) a subsidiary of ST Engineering Aerospace and Airbus is based at the airport. EFW performs freighter conversions and aircraft maintenance including for the Airbus A380. Dresden Airport is well connected by public transport. The S-Bahn connects to the city center. Bus routes 77 and 80 offer alternative transport. The airport also boasts a multi-storey car park and several long-stay options. Dresden Airport a blend of history and modern aviation continues to serve the region.