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Without History... There Is No Future
 

In 1924, a private airfield consisting of 311 acres with two 80 by 120 foot hangars was founded by Al Johnson. This tract of land is now part of the Dayton International Airport that encompasses more than 4,000 acres and 26,000 feet of runways.

In 1928, a group of six businessmen known as Dayton Airport, Inc. purchased the facility and renamed it the Dayton Airport, Inc. After a brief period of development, interest in the airport waned. By 1936 the corporation fell into receivership.

Under the leadership of Governor James M. Cox, a native Daytonian, $65,000 was raised to purchase the facility for the City of Dayton on April 30, 1936. On December 17, thirty-three years to the day after the Wright Brother's first flight, a dedication ceremony was held to officially open the field as the Dayton Municipal Airport, complete with three paved runways and connecting taxiways. Soon after, Trans Western, known today as TWA, began service with three daily flights. TWA continues to serve passengers from Dayton International Airport today.

Following are some of the major milestones in the history of the Dayton International Airport.

1939 The establishment of a civilian pilot training program at Dayton Municipal Airport.
1941 The control of the airport by the U.S. Army Air Corps. Twenty-five additional acres are purchased for the city.
1942 The purchase of 30 acres and construction of a new runway.
1943 The construction of a new, heavy-duty runway and expansion of the airport by 596 acres.
1946 The deeding of Dayton Army airfield to the City of Dayton for $1.00 making it the largest commercial airport in Ohio.
1947
The assignment of the Ohio Air National Guard Units of the 162nd Fighter Squadron to the Dayton Municipal Airport. (Until the late 1950's more than 450 military and civilian employees were based and housed at the airport.)
1949 The South Administration Building of the Modification Center is remodeled, becoming the Airport Passenger Terminal Building. The old airport site becomes a general aviation area.
1952 The Dayton City Commission unanimously adopts a resolution naming the airport the James M. Cox Municipal Airport.
1959 The groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the new $5.5 million terminal building.
1960 The first jet service at Dayton begins with TWA.
1961 The new terminal building and an entrance off the National Highway are completed.
1975 The facility is designated as an international airport and construction of U.S. Customs facility begins.
1981 The construction of Emery Worldwide Superhub, at a total cost of over $85 million, helps make Dayton one of the largest air freight facilities in the world.
1982 The airport is chosen as the Midwestern Hub for Piedmont Airlines.
1986 The Airport's 50th Anniversary of city ownership and operation is celebrated. 4 1/2 million passengers are recorded, one million more than the previous year.
1989 Three-year, $50 million dollar renovation completed.
With aggressive growth plans to be completed in three phases, the future of Dayton International Airport looks up.