In May of 1926, the City of Kalamazoo bought 383 acres of land near Portage and Kilgore Roads. Scheduled air service began between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids 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.
New Construction
In 1958 a new terminal was constructed to replace the old building that had housed passengers since the 1920s. In 1961, an air traffic control tower and additional runways were built. Year after year, the number of passengers using the facility and the number of flights in and out of Kalamazoo continued growing.
The consistent growth necessitated a terminal expansion in 1979, and the building increased from 12,000 to 30,000 square feet.
A Transfer of Ownership
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. The County recognized the need to increase service at the Kalamazoo County Airport. The terminal was completely renovated in 1989, with the addition of a new concourse, an enlarged boarding area, a new baggage claim area, and a ramp expansion.
This expansive project doubled the size of the terminal, and passenger traffic grew from 200,000 per year to over 500,000 per year by 1993. In 1994, passenger volume dictated the need for a parking lot expansion, during which time, over 300 long-term spaces were added.
Today’s Airport in Kalamazoo
Today, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport hosts American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which fly hundreds of passengers each day to major hubs with worldwide connections. It maintains a self-sufficient operation and has a significant economic impact on Southwest Michigan.
Through our mission, the Kalamazoo | Battle Creek International Airport seeks to “complement economic growth and quality of life by safely, conveniently, and efficiently fulfilling the air travel and transportation needs of Southwest Michigan.”
The Kalamazoo Public Library also has some history on the airport.
