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@ the Airport
Aviation Education
History of the Airport
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From Lindbergh Field to San Diego International Airport
In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh electrified the world when
he made San Diego the starting point for the first-ever solo, nonstop transatlantic
flight. In his Spirit of St. Louis, Lindbergh took off from Dutch Flat
bound for St. Louis, New York and Paris, France. Lindbergh later agreed to lend
his name to a proposed new airport: San Diego Municipal Airport - Lindbergh Field.
Early aviation supporters saw their efforts rise from the mud when construction
began on the long anticipated municipal airport. A cast of public and private agencies,
military officers, politicians, philanthropists, and engineers worked tirelessly
to build upon the muddy ground that gave birth to San Diego International Airport
on its Dedication Day, August 16, 1928.
On June 1, 1930, the San Diego-Los Angeles airmail route was initiated, becoming
the airport's major selling point for local government. At 5 o'clock sharp, the
first airmail plane left the only building at the airport and raced down the runway,
marking the beginning of a new era for San Diego.
At the outbreak of World War II, and as San Diego's population boomed, the
military transformed San Diego International Airport into a modern aviation transportation
center. The U.S. Army Air Corps took over the airport in 1942, and Army engineers
improved the existing runways to accommodate the heavy bombers churned out by San
Diego's aircraft manufacturers during World War II.
The 8,750-foot "mega-runway" built to accommodate World War II-era long-range
bombers made San Diego International Airport "jet-ready" long before United
Airlines became the first airline to offer pure jet service in September 1960. American
Airlines followed with their "Jet Ace" scheduled service to Dallas/Fort
Worth a few weeks later. San Diego had entered the Jet Age.
Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, San Diego International Airport is
the nation's busiest single runway commercial airport — serving over
18 million passengers in 2008, and servicing 18 airlines, seven airfreight companies,
16 airline support providers and 23 concessionaires. A far cry from the first, dusty
runway and single terminal, San Diego International Airport now contributes nearly
$10 billion annually to the regional economy.
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San Diego International Airport's Historical Timeline
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1925
The first daily-scheduled, year-round air passenger service was inaugurated
by Ryan Airlines with service between San Diego and Los Angeles.
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May 10, 1927
Charles A. Lindbergh took off from Dutch Flats in San Diego (the current
site of the Midway Post Office and just north of today's airport) bound for St.
Louis, New York and Paris, on the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight.
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Aug 16, 1928
The San Diego airfield opened on Pacific Highway and was dedicated in honor
of Charles A. Lindbergh. It was the first federally certified airfield that could
serve all plane types, including seaplanes, earning it the first ever AAA rating
for an airport.
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1934
San Diego Municipal Airport was made a permanent international airport
of entry by the U.S. Treasury Department, establishing the airport as San Diego
International Airport.
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1942
The Airport's current runway was constructed.
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Dec 18, 1962
The San Diego Unified Port District was created when the State Legislature
approved Senate Bill 41, which was certified by the County Board of Supervisors.
District purview included ownership and operation of the Airport.
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March 5, 1967
The new East Terminal (now Terminal 1) opened for business.
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Jan 5, 1976
San Diego International Airport invoked a nighttime flight restriction
for airlines flying in and out of the Airport. This action was believed to be the
first formal action of its kind at a major commercial airport within the continental
United States.
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July 11, 1979
A new $15 million West Terminal addition (now Terminal 2) was opened. (Dedicated
April 18, 1979)
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Jan 1982
Southwest Airlines began service at the airport offering six round-trip
San Diego-Phoenix flights a day.
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Oct 30, 1983
United Airlines began offering daily flights from San Diego to Honolulu,
the first such regularly scheduled service to Hawaii.
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Nov 8, 1995
Airport officials broke ground to initiate the West Terminal expansion,
a highlight of the $232 million airport upgrade to meet passenger demand into the
next century.
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July 23, 1996
The Commuter Terminal opened at San Diego International Airport.
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1996
The installation of 16 public art works at San Diego International Airport's
West Terminal addition and Commuter Terminal was approved.
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Jan 7, 1998
A 300,000 square-foot expansion of Terminal 2 opened for passenger traffic. The
$232 million airport improvement program was completed and the Airport Master Plan
was launched.
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Oct 14, 2001
Assembly Bill 93 established the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Act,
which created the Authority as a local entity of regional government to oversee
the Airport operations. The bill also requires the Authority to adopt the comprehensive
airport land use plan and submit a site selection for the future regional airport.
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Jan 1, 2002
The new Authority began operation under an interim Authority Board.
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Sept 27, 2002
Governor Davis signed Senate Bill 1896 into law, which amends Assembly Bill 93 regarding
the selection and appointment of Authority Board members. (The Senate passed the
bill on August 30, 2002.)
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Dec 16, 2002
The first meeting of the new permanent Authority Board was held after the installation
ceremony.
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Jan 1, 2003
Ownership and operations of San Diego International Airport was transferrred to
the Authority from the San Diego Unified Port District as required by the Airport
Authority Act.
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July 8, 2009
The Airport Authority breaks ground on an expansion of Terminal 2 West. The Green
Build—a name that reflects both the Authority’s sustainability commitments and its
ability to bring “greenbacks” to the regional economy—is a $1 billion project, the
largest in airport history.
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