Hannover Airport (ARRAY)

Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen (Hannover-Langenhagen Airport), coded HAJ by IATA and EDDV by ICAO, is the international airport of Hannover and the busiest in Lower Saxony, handling roughly 5.2 million passengers in 2024. It sits on 570 hectares in Langenhagen, about 11 kilometers north of the city center.

The airport ranks among Germany’s ten largest and serves as a base for four carriers: Eurowings, Condor, TUI fly Deutschland and Corendon Airlines Europe. From here, travelers reach roughly 74 non-stop destinations across 27 countries.

Travelers arriving at HAJ can be standing in Hannover Hauptbahnhof (main train station) within about 17 minutes, thanks to an S-Bahn station built directly beneath Terminal C. That single detail shapes most arrival plans for northern Germany.

Key Takeaways

• HAJ (ICAO: EDDV) lies 11 km north of Hannover in Langenhagen, Lower Saxony.
• Terminals A, B and C share one connected building; the S-Bahn station sits below Terminal C.
• Four home-based airlines fly a mix of domestic routes and European leisure destinations.

What Is HAJ and Where Is It Located?

Hannover Airport is the primary commercial airport for Lower Saxony, located in the town of Langenhagen on the northern edge of the Hannover metropolitan area. It operates around the clock and employs more than 8,800 people across the airport site.

Airport Names, Codes and Operator

The airport carries several names in everyday use, which matters when booking or searching maps.

• IATA code: HAJ
• ICAO code: EDDV
• German name: Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen
• Common variants: Flughafen Hannover, Langenhagen Airport, Hanover Airport
• Operator: Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen GmbH, Petzelstraße 84, 30855 Langenhagen

Note that English-language sources spell the city both “Hannover” and “Hanover.” Both refer to the same place.

Distance From Hannover City Centre

The terminals lie roughly 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) north of central Hannover. Drivers should enter Flughafenstraße 4, 30855 Langenhagen into navigation software, since the corporate address on Petzelstraße leads to offices instead of the passenger terminals.

The airport sits at an elevation of about 183 feet and operates three runways.

A Regional Gateway for Lower Saxony

HAJ functions as the main air link for a state of nearly eight million residents, plus visitors heading to the Hannover Messe trade fair grounds. Business traffic peaks sharply during major fairs.

For travelers building a wider itinerary, the airport pairs well with rail links south toward Hesse or north to Hamburg, and comparisons with Hamburg Airport often decide which gateway suits a northern German trip.

Which Terminals Should Passengers Use?

Passengers use Terminals A, B and C, which sit in one connected building and stay open 24 hours a day, linked through the landside area. Terminal D occupies a separate structure and handles non-scheduled operations.

Terminal A and Terminal B

Terminals A and B carry the bulk of scheduled departures. Check-in counters, security lanes and gates are laid out so that a walk between the two takes only a few minutes.

The Airport Service Center sits on the Arrivals level of Terminal B and operates 24 hours a day. Between the departure levels of A and B, the Gate 96 exhibition space showcases the local football club Hannover 96.

Terminal C and the Railway Station

Terminal C holds the connection to public transit. The Flughafen Hannover railway station sits directly below it, reachable by escalator from the arrivals level.

Terminal C has undergone remodeling work in recent years, with check-in and departure functions redistributed to Terminals A and B during construction phases. Travelers should confirm their assigned terminal on the boarding pass.

Terminal D and Non-Passenger Operations

Terminal D stands in a separate building from the main complex. It serves charter, general aviation and ground handling functions instead of regular scheduled passenger service.

The airport’s runways and apron accommodate wide-body aircraft up to Boeing 747 size, which supports cargo and occasional long-haul charter movements.

Check-In, Security and Baggage Claim

Check-in counters open on the departure levels of Terminals A and B, with terminal assignments listed on the live departures board. Security screening is terminal-specific, so passengers should follow the terminal printed on their boarding pass rather than assuming a single checkpoint.

Baggage claim halls sit on the arrivals level, with belts numbered by flight. Lost luggage counters and the service center are close to the belts in Terminal B.

Which Flights and Airlines Operate From HAJ?

Hannover Airport offers around 74 non-stop destinations served by 27 airlines, split between a small number of German domestic routes and a large European network weighted toward leisure travel. Roughly five routes are domestic and 67 are international.

Domestic Flights and International Flights

Domestic service links Hannover with Germany’s larger hubs, feeding passengers into long-haul networks at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport.

International flying dominates the schedule. Destinations span 27 countries, concentrated on Mediterranean beach markets, Turkish resorts, the Canary Islands and major European city-break capitals.

Key Airlines and Leisure Routes

Four carriers base aircraft at HAJ:

• Eurowings — European city and leisure routes
• TUI fly Deutschland — package-holiday destinations; the single largest operator by departures
• Condor — Mediterranean and long-haul leisure markets
• Corendon Airlines Europe — Turkey, Greece and Spain

SunExpress also ranks among the busiest operators. Island routes such as Menorca in the Balearics illustrate the summer pattern, where seasonal frequencies rise sharply from May through September and thin out in winter.

How to Check the Live Flight Schedule

Flight data at HAJ is reported directly by the airlines. Each entry on the departures board shows:

• The originally scheduled time
• A second line with updated times, when available
• The destination airport and flight number
• The airline name
• The check-in counter and the terminal for security screening

That terminal field is the one to note, since screening points differ by terminal. Arrivals boards follow the same format with origin airports and baggage belt assignments.

How Do You Travel Between the Airport and Hannover?

The S-Bahn S5 is the fastest and cheapest link, covering the trip from the airport to Hannover Hauptbahnhof in roughly 17 minutes for about €3.80. Taxis, rideshares, rental cars and hotel shuttles all operate from the terminal forecourt.

S-Bahn Connections From Flughafen Hannover Station

The Flughafen Hannover station lies directly beneath Terminal C, reached by escalator from arrivals.

• Line: S-Bahn S5
• Journey time: approximately 17 minutes to Hannover Hauptbahnhof
• Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
• Fare: around €3.80 per adult single
• Tickets: vending machines on the platform and in the terminal

Day tickets covering the wider Hannover network cost less than a single airport taxi fare, which suits travelers planning several journeys.

Taxis, Rideshares and Private Transfers

Taxi ranks sit outside the arrivals levels of the terminals. A metered ride into central Hannover takes about 20 to 25 minutes outside peak traffic.

Rideshare apps and pre-booked private transfer services also serve the airport. Pre-booking is worth considering during the Hannover Messe trade fair, when demand spikes.

Car Rentals, Driving Routes and Parking

Rental car desks operate in the terminal complex, with pickup lots a short walk away. The airport promotes a parking guarantee for drivers, covering short-stay and long-stay lots.

For satellite navigation, use Flughafenstraße 4, 30855 Langenhagen. The airport connects to the A352 and A2 motorways, placing it within easy reach of routes toward Bremen, Hamburg and the Ruhr. Travelers mapping a broader route can plan onward stops through the site’s German destinations coverage.

What Passenger Services and Airport Experiences Are Available?

HAJ offers restaurants, retail and duty-free shopping across the terminals, free Wi-Fi through the FreeWifi@HAJ network, and a 24-hour Airport Service Center on the arrivals level of Terminal B. An aviation museum with a flight simulator sits on the airport grounds.

Dining, Shopping and Duty-Free Options

Cafés, quick-service outlets and sit-down restaurants operate on both the landside and airside sections of Terminals A, B and C. Food stores and newsagents cover early-morning departures.

Duty-free and travel retail shops sit airside for passengers on qualifying routes. Landside shops serve visitors and meeters-and-greeters without a boarding pass.

Accessibility, Family Facilities and Assistance

Passengers with reduced mobility can request assistance through their airline, ideally at booking and at least 48 hours before departure. Staff meet passengers at designated points in the terminals.

The Airport Service Center handles general questions around the clock and can be reached at +49 511 9770. Family facilities include baby changing rooms and play areas near the departure gates.

Erlebniswelt Hannover Airport and Visitor Activities

The Erlebniswelt Hannover Airport (Hannover Airport Experience) is an interactive exhibition tracing the history of flight, from early attempts through modern airport operations. Visitors can fly an Airbus A320 in a flight simulator.

The airport also runs guided discovery tours of areas passengers never see. Tours are booked through the Visitor Services Office:

• Phone: +49 511 977-1353
• Email: [email protected]

Payments and the Euro

Germany uses the euro (EUR). Card payments are accepted throughout the terminals, though some smaller kiosks and taxi drivers prefer cash.

ATMs operate in the landside areas of the terminal building. Currency exchange counters serve arriving passengers carrying non-euro currency.

Frequently Asked Questions