History
The plans for an airport in Kalamazoo began in 1925. In May 1926, the City of Kalamazoo purchased 383 acres (1.55 km2) of land near Portage and Kilgore roads, and an airport opened. Shortly thereafter, the first regular air mail service started in July 1928. In February 1929, the field was licensed as the first municipal airport in Michigan. It was named Lindbergh Field in honor of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. Airline service came to Kalamazoo in May 1944. Two commuter airlines, Francis Airways and Northern Skyways, provided service to other Michigan cities, then ceased after two years. From 1946 and 1955, several small airlines offered commuter flights to nearby cities.
In May 1955, North Central Airlines began daily service to Detroit, and Chicago. North Central eventually became Republic Airlines, which became Northwest Airlines, and finally merged with Delta Air Lines - which serves the airport today.
In 1961 an air traffic control tower was built and the main runway was extended from 3,900 feet to 5,300. In 1963, an instrument landing system was installed to help during poor weather. In 1977, the runway was further lengthened to 6,500 feet.
In 1975 the regional air traffic control facility was moved from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo, and in 1978, a radar facility was installed. The airport eventually won an award for the safest and most efficient air traffic control system in the Great Lakes region.
In 1982 the Core Council decided that the City of Kalamazoo should no longer bear the full cost of operating the airport, and in 1984, the City transferred ownership to the County of Kalamazoo. In 1989, the name was changed from Kalamazoo County Airport to Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International to stimulate economic growth in the Battle Creek area. That year, the County also renovated the terminal, doubling its size and expanding the ramp. Over the next four years, annual passenger traffic grew from 200,000 to more than 500,000.
In 2011 the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport was served by two major airlines who fly passengers to major hubs with worldwide connections. There was also a public charter airline operating twice weekly from Kalamazoo to locations in Florida.
As of May 2012, the airport is served by two major commercial airlines who fly passengers to three major hubs. The public charter Direct Air was subject to Chapter 7 liquidation on April 12, 2012 and has since ceased all operations.
Read more about this topic: Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
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