Airports Archives ⋆ The Passenger

November 11, 2024December 2, 2024

Marrakech-Ménara

The international airport of Marrakech (RAK) is located at the city quarter Ménara pretty close to the modern part of the city. It was opened 1942 as an airbase of the United States (like most airports at Morocco) and transports 2.5 million passengers each year with its one runway. That is just a third of the volume of the airport of the economic powerhouse, Casablanca. The modern airport building is connected via busses to the city, but because of the short distance also fixed-price taxis are a very valid option.

November 1, 2024December 2, 2024

Nouasseur

Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca

The international airport of Casablanca (CMN) is located 30 kilometers south of the city. It was built in 1943 during World War II by the United States (who used it until 1963) and has two runways. 7.6 million passengers use the Aéroport international de Mohammed V – Nouasseur Casablanca every year, making it one of the top 5 airports in Africa.

September 11, 2024September 21, 2024

Berlin-Brandenburg

After World War II and during the occupation of Germany the four allies had ‘their’ airports at Berlin: Schönefeld (SXF) was used by the Russians, Tegel (TXL) by the French, Gatow (GWW) by the British and Tempelhof (THF) was the US airbase. The German reunification then created the need to change airport infrastructure at the German capital city. A decision was made to extend the Schönefeld airport to become the new Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (BER) and to name it after former German chancellor Willy Brandt.

September 11, 2024September 21, 2024

City airport

When it comes to airports at and near London, there a multiple options. Luton (LTN), Gatwick (LGW) and Stansted (STN) are further outside and often used by low-price airlines and vacation flights. Most business trips are probably carried out via Heathrow (LHR) which is the biggest hub, but there is also a good option closer to the city center: the City Airport (LCY). It is located east of Canary Wharf and North Greenwich close to river Thames and directly next a marina; that’s why there is water close to the runway.

July 14, 2024July 27, 2024

YYC

The international airport of Calgary (YYC) is a middle-size airport located in the north of the city. It is a convenient airport with many seating options, good coffee bars and restaurants and the fastest security check I’ve ever experienced. YYC has four runways and transports 18 million passengers per year. Initially used for military purposes the first civilians were starting their flights here in 1946. Today not only Air Canada and North-American airlines use the airport; also KLM, Condor and Edelweiss Air are landing here.

July 1, 2024July 27, 2024

Vancouver International

The international airport of Vancouver (YVR) is located 12 kilometers southwest of the city center. Opened in 1931 it is today the second-busiest airport of Canada with three runways and 25 million passengers per year. YVR is a well-designed airport and probably absolutely hassle-free to pass through. In addition to the local airlines (and Air Canada being the biggest user) also Air France, Air China, Air India, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines use YVR. Local connections within Canada – even to Tofino on Vancouver Island are possible.

April 17, 2024May 20, 2024

Cape Town airport

The international airport of Cape Town (CPT) can be found at Matroosfontain, 20 kilometers afar, southeast of the city. It is a good and clean airport that you can pass pretty fast – even while being the second-busiest airport after O.R. Tambo at Johannesburg. It was opened in 1954, has two runways and transports 8 million passengers each year. The reason why it is so good and fast is probably the FIFA World Cup which took place in South Africa in 2010 and led to a massive expansion of this airport.

April 17, 2024May 20, 2024

OR Tambo

The international airport of Johannesburg (JNB) is the most-frequented airport of South Africa and named after Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo, leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1980s. It is located 20 kilometers northeast of Johannesburg and is the gateway to the capital city Pretoria as well as the most important entry point to the country. The airport was founded in 1952, has two runways and transports more than 15 million passengers every year.

January 31, 2024September 21, 2024

Zentralflughafen

The Tempelhof airport (THF) at Berlin was one of the earliest public airports at Germany operating between 1923 and 2008. During this time it was continuously extended and was ahead of its time: with hotels, restaurants and a subway stop directly next to it. Today it is replaced by the new Berlin airport (BER), the historic building is used for offices and the former airfield is now a vast park known as the Tempelhofer Feld, larger than the country San Marino. Additionally you can book guided tours at the former airport to experience the special architecture.

October 3, 2023November 12, 2023

Heydər Əliyev adına beynəlxalq hava limanı

The international airport of Bakı (GYD, Azerbaijan) has two terminals (an old a new one) and is located 15 kilometers northeast of the city center. It was opened in 1980, has two runways and is operated by the state-owned airline Azal. I arrived with Azal from თბილისი and landed at terminal 2 which is rather small: just go through passport control, pick your bag, pass the toll control and your done. You still have the chance to exchange or withdraw some money, but there around much other facilities at the terminal.