So I got curious about this question the other day – which airport in Asia has been operating the longest? Turns out, it is Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. And honestly, the history here is pretty fascinating.
Don Mueang officially opened on March 27, 1914. Let that sink in for a second. That is over a century of continuous operation, making it not just the oldest airport in Asia but one of the oldest still-functioning airports anywhere on the planet.
Here is the thing – it started as a military airfield for the Royal Thai Air Force. Commercial flights were not even on anyones radar back then. But as aviation evolved, Don Mueang grew with it. By the mid-1920s, civilian flights were taking off and landing here regularly.
The airport really hit its stride as Thailands main international gateway. During the Vietnam War, it became a major logistical hub. International carriers from around the world operated routes to and from Don Mueang, making it one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia.
Then came 2006 and the opening of shiny new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don Mueang actually shut down for a while. But here is the twist: Suvarnabhumi got overwhelmed pretty quickly. So in 2007, Don Mueang reopened. First just domestic flights, then international service came back too.
Today? Don Mueang is thriving as a hub for low-cost carriers. Budget airlines love it. They have renovated and expanded the place multiple times to keep up with modern demands, but there is still this sense of history when you walk through.
What strikes me about Don Mueangs story is how it mirrors aviations evolution in Asia. We went from grass runways and tiny prop planes to handling millions of passengers annually with all the sophisticated systems that requires. This one airport has seen all of it.
So yeah – if anyone asks about Asias oldest airport, it is Don Mueang in Bangkok. Over 110 years in operation and still going strong. It is not just a functional airport at this point – it is a genuine piece of aviation history.
