70 years of German Airways: From WDL to European regional flight icon / Tradition meets the future at Germany's second-oldest airline on its 70th anniversary

Cologne/Bonn, 29 July 2025 - German Airways, the second oldest German airline, is celebrating: Exactly 70 years ago today, the then still young Federal Aviation Authority granted the company, then known as Westdeutsche Luftwerbung GmbH (WDL) under its founder Theodor Wüllenkemper, its second operating licence in the Federal Republic of Germany. This marked the beginning of an eventful company history at Essen-Mülheim Airport. This makes today's German Airways one of the most traditional names in German and European aviation. The company is now based in Cologne and has deep roots in the cathedral city with its Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Originally started as a provider of aerial advertising and banner flights, WDL developed rapidly and took on increasingly demanding tasks for companies and institutions. These included factory flights, specialised medical transport and freight services for global logistics companies. Over the decades, the fleet has been continually reorganised to meet growing and changing requirements - from the legendary Learjet to robust turboprop aircraft such as the Fokker F 27.

In 1974, the company changed its name to WDL Flugdienst, later to WDL Aviation, which continuously expanded its range of services. A comprehensive modernisation drive began in October 2017; three years later, the airline was known as German Airways and also joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Today, German Airways is an innovative and flexible regional airline with a state-of-the-art Embraer E190 fleet. The company is active throughout Europe in charter and wet-lease traffic. It flies in the wet-lease business for major European flag carriers and offers works transport and shuttles for companies, special transport, incentive trips, takes sports teams to competitions at the highest level (national teams, Champions League or Bundesliga teams), transports other sports teams such as football, rugby or volleyball teams or even bands and orchestras or celebrities to their destinations. The company has done an excellent job of combining its traditional roots with the requirements of modern, forward-looking aviation and continuing on its growth path.

On the occasion of its 70th anniversary, German Airways proudly looks back on seven decades of German aviation history and thanks all colleagues, customers, business partners and companions who have helped to shape this extraordinary journey. In the future, German Airways will remain true to its claim of making an important contribution to European aviation with independence, quality and reliability and continuing the success story. The next innovation and development steps are already in sight for the airline.