On May 8, 2026, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse will celebrate its 80th anniversary. The airport, located on French soil and jointly operated by France and Switzerland, has been considered a unique model of cross-border cooperation in Europe since its inauguration in 1946.
Just a few months after the end of World War II, a temporary runway was built in record time, and the first civilian aircraft landed there on May 2, 1946. The official opening ceremony followed only six days later, laying the foundation for an infrastructure that today serves the entire trinational region of the Upper Rhine.
The international legal framework for this model was established through the 1949 State Treaty, which defined the legal and operational basis for the binational status. Over the decades, the airfield has developed into a significant economic factor, securing thousands of jobs in the region and serving as a logistics hub for surrounding industries. The airport serves a wide range of European and intercontinental destinations and has established itself as a key location for cargo traffic and express logistics, benefiting the strong economic center of Basel.
The anniversary year also marks the start of a comprehensive modernization phase. EuroAirport has launched an investment program of over €600 million to adapt its infrastructure to future requirements. A key element of these measures is the ongoing refurbishment of the main runway, which, according to current plans, is scheduled to reopen for unrestricted flight operations on May 21, 2026. The aim of the investments is to improve the quality of service for passengers and to secure the long-term operational efficiency of the airport.
In regional transport planning, EuroAirport also plays a central role in the planned rail link, which will connect the airport directly to the rail networks of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Despite the current challenges in global air traffic, the location maintains its position thanks to its strategic location in the heart of Europe. Its 80-year history underscores the enduring nature of the model, which, despite differing national responsibilities in areas such as customs and policing, forms a functional unit and significantly shapes regional mobility.