From November 1997 until early 1999 the operations were suspended due to a complete refurbishment of the airport, including runway, apron, taxiways, control tower.

In the summer of 2001 a new fire station was put into operation and the construction of a new terminal building for the General Aviation ("GAT") started.

On 31 August 2016, the state authorities revoked the airport's operational license for instrumental approaches and therefore de facto closing it until further notice from 1 September 2016.

[3] In 2019, the German Aerospace Center purchased the entire airport to establish a testing facility for drones and helicopters.

Ryanair operated summer seasonal flights out of Magdeburg–Cochstedt from 2011 to 2013, the last remaining destinations served being Girona and Palma de Mallorca.