Bitburg Airport


 * For the NATO Military use of this facility before 1994, see Bitburg Air Base

Bitburg Airport (Flugplatz Bitburg) is a commercial airport serving Bitburg, a city in the Rhineland-Palatinate state of Germany. It is located 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Bitburg, 20 miles (32 km) north of Trier, and 135 miles (217 km) west of Wiesbaden.

History
Prior to its current civilian usage, Bitburg Air Base (1952–1994) was a front-line NATO base during the Cold War. It was the home of the United States Air Force's 36th Fighter Wing for over 40 years as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe. With the end of the Cold War it was no longer needed as a military base and it was turned over to the German government on 1 October 1994.

Between June and September 1997 it was necessary to repair the Spangdahlem Air Base runway, called for a temporary location to accommodate the 52d Fighter Wing's three squadrons of F-15s and F-16s. Bitburg Airport was the most logical place—only 10 miles (16 km) down the road.

The USAF departed for the second time in September 1997, and Bitburg Airport was returned to the civil aircraft which now call it home.

On September 15, 2008, the Ministry of Transport of Rhineland-Palatinate granted the airport contractor landing rights for aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of more than 14 tonnes, and the use of IFR traffic rules upon arrival and departure. The airport contracting company is currently evaluating plans to develop the airport into a regional freight airport.

Airlines and destinations
There are currently no scheduled services to and from Bitburg Airport.