Innsbruck-Kranebitten Airport - Austria

Innsbruck-Kranebitten Airport lies in the western periphery of the provincial capital of Innsbruck, and is considered by many to be one of the most attractive airports in the Alps. The history of its domestic aviation goes back to the nineteenth century when the Tyrolean Airship Club sponsored quite a few successful balloon ascents here. With the outbreak of World War I, however, such activities came to an end, and they were never resumed. Balloons soon became outmoded with the advent of airplane technology. Attempts were then made to build a military airfield, but the objections of local farmers overruled the proposal. In 1925 a new airport opened and the Tyrolean Aviation Society was formed. There was a decline in commercial flights during the 1930s as a result of a general economic depression. This airport was taken over by the Third Reich during World War II and mainly served as their training ground. After the war it was utilized by the French for transport flights. The Austrians finally regained control of the airport when the State Treaty was signed on May 15, 1955. A special landing system was added in 1974. In 1994 the airport celebrated its 70th birthday and opened a modern air freight terminal.