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Exactly 50 years ago today, on 16 October 1959, the landing of TU-104A OK-LDA operated by the Czechoslovak Airlines marked the official launch of air operations at Ostrava Mošnov airport. The airport’s rich history, however, extends even further back. The first aviation experiments were carried out by the Žurovec brothers, the region’s aviation pioneers, as early as 1909. In the course of World War II, the airport was used both by the German Lufftwaffe and Russians and later served civilian flights as well as military operations conducted by the Czechoslovak Army. After the departure of the allied armies from Czechoslovakia in 1993, activities in the military part of the airport were discontinued and the airport has served civilian purposes only.

Throughout its existence, the airport has had a number of owners – the civilian part of the airport was administered by the State Aviation Administration and later by the Airport Administration. In 1978, the administration of the airport was taken over by the Czechoslovak Airlines. The civilian operations were transferred to the Czech Airport Authority, a state-owned enterprise, while the military operations were run by the army. The Czech Airport Authority operated the airport until 2004 when its ownership was transferred to the Moravian Silesian Region, with Letiště Ostrava, a.s. becoming the operator of the airport.

The 50th anniversary of the airport was commemorated as part of the NATO Days and the International Aircraft Industry Exhibition ‘Air-In’.

On 25 September 2009, JOB AIR - CENTRAL CONNECT AIRLINES will launch a new scheduled service to Munich, the capital of Germany’s Bavaria and Europe’s seventh busiest airport. Initially, the direct flight will operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For information on the flight schedule and ticket reservation, visit www.flyCCA.cz.

The new service will be launched during the world famous Oktoberfest, so those who wish to experience this Bavarian festival first hand and soak up its unforgettable atmosphere may want take advantage of an interesting offer. JOB AIR - CENTRAL CONNECT AIRLINES added two Sunday flights to the flight schedule – 27 September and 4 October 2009. In addition, 33 tickets are available for a special price of CZK 3,500 (return ticket including airport taxes).

As in previous years, between 18 and 20 September 2009, Leoš Janáček Airport will host Central Europe’s largest event dedicated to aviation, military and security equipment – NATO Days 2009. The objective of this event is to present the general public with a wide variety of equipment used by the Czech Republic and its allies in the area of national and international security.

The NATO Days full-day programme includes displays of heavy military, law enforcement and emergency response equipment, demonstration of training methods used by special units, aerobatics and aircraft displays, and presentations of the facilities and equipment used by the respective units. Nowhere else is it possible to see first hand all the advanced technologies and to witness top-notch skills demonstrated not only by the soldiers, fire fighters and police officers, but also customs officers, prison officers, municipal police and other elite units.

At the same time, the airport will become the venue for the International Aircraft Industry Exhibition ‘Air-In 2009’, which is dedicated to general aviation as well as airport, aircraft and avionics equipment. For more detailed information, click here.