At the end of 1997, AviAlliance won the bidding for Düsseldorf Airport in the first partial privatization of an airport in Germany. AviAlliance holds 30 percent of the shares, while Aer Rianta holds 20 percent. The City of Düsseldorf has retained a 50 percent interest. In 2019, Düsseldorf Airport recorded 25.5 million passengers; in 2022, the passenger volume totaled 16.1 million.

In February 2015, the airport submitted an application for capacity expansion, as the demand for take-off and landing rights has already been well above availability for several years. Düsseldorf Airport needs space for growth if it is to operate in line with demand and keep pace with international developments. Located in one of Europe's strongest economic regions with 18 million inhabitants within a radius of 100 kilometers, the airport plays an outstanding role in meeting the mobility needs of people and companies in the region. The application is now submitted to the Ministry of Transport of Northrhine-Westphalia for a decision. 

In 2022, Düsseldorf Airport was named "Best Regional Airport in Europe" at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. These awards, which represent one of the most prestigious distinctions in the aviation sector, are presented annually on the basis of an independent passenger survey in which passengers are asked, among other things, about how satisfied they are with airport services, check-in, the quality of passenger services and security standards.