A History of Aviation Excellence and Importance to the Community

For more than 70 years, Oakland International Airport has been an important force in aviation history and a contributor to the economic well being of the San Francisco Bay Area. According to a 1999 economic impact report, the airport was responsible for infusing $3.9 billion annually into the local economy and is responsible for generating 4,700 induced jobs such as those that provide service for visitor/tourism jobs, such as hotel staff, taxi and charter bus drivers and tour guides. The airport complex and other Oakland International Airport-related aviation businesses employ approximately 10,700 people, of which roughly one-third are in jobs related to cargo.
The original airport at North Field was built in 1927 and is still in operation today for air cargo, general aviation and corporate jet activities. Commercial passenger and cargo jet aircraft operate from South Field, which opened in 1962.
Today the airport is a thriving business, handling more than 10 million passengers and nearly 700,000 tons (1.54 billion pounds) of air cargo annually.
December 1926
Oakland voters overwhelmingly approve a charter amendment to create a new city board, the Board of Port Commissioners, charged with overseeing the city's waterfront.
February 1927
Oakland City Council expands the Board of Port Commissioner's authority to include operation of an airport within the port area.
June 1927
Construction of Oakland Municipal Airport (what is now North Field) begins, including construction of a 7,020-foot runway, the longest in the world for its day.
July 1927
Pilot Ernie Smith and his navigator Emory Bronte set a new speed record from Oakland to Hawaii 25 hours, 37 minutes.
August 1927
Nine airplanes and thousands of spectators gather at Oakland Municipal Airport for the start of the Dole Races to Hawaii, sponsored by pineapple magnate James Dole.
September 1927
Oakland Municipal Airport is dedicated, with Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh presiding over the ceremonies.
December 1927
Boeing Air Transport (predecessor to United Airlines) inaugurates U.S. transcontinental passenger and airmail service between Oakland and New York.
May 1928
Australian World War I ace Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith departs from Oakland with a crew of three bound for Australia via Hawaii. The 7,300-mile trip takes seven days and is the first flight between the two continents.
Summer 1929
Construction is completed on airport building facilities, including five hangars, passenger terminal/administrative offices and a restaurant.
February 1930
The passenger terminal is now adjoined by the nation's first airport inn.
June 1931
Amelia Earhart guides an autogiro (a hybrid airplane/helicopter) into Oakland, the first-ever transcontinental flight in this aircraft.
January 1935
Amelia Earhart returns to Oakland after an 18 hour, 15 minute flight from Honolulu, the first trans-Pacific solo venture, where 15,000 aviation enthusiasts greet her.
May 1937
Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan take off from Oakland to begin their ill-fated around-the-world journey.
August 1940
The Board of Port Commissioners purchases 302 acres of land adjoining the airport, expanding the facility to 1,200 acres.
1943
Oakland becomes the marshalling point for all planes bound for the U.S. forces in the Pacific. All of Oakland's commercial flights are diverted to San Francisco Municipal Airport for the duration of the war.
1945
A new 6,200-foot east-west runway paralleling the original runway is constructed.
1962
The new $20 million Oakland International Airport opens.
1973
A 16,000-square-foot International Arrivals Building opens.
1991
A new 25,000-square-foot International Arrivals Building opens. The facility is designed for customs and immigration processing of 500 passengers per hour.
1994
Southwest Airlines opens a flight crew base at Oakland.
1995
Southwest Airlines opens a pilot base at Oakland.
1996
The FAA installs a new instrument landing system (ILS), called Mark 20, at South Field that allows for Category 3 operations at lower landing minimums. Oakland International is the first Bay Area airport to have this system installed.
1997
In conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of Amelia Earhart's attempt to circumnavigate the world, Linda Finch successfully completes the around-the-world flight, beginning and ending her flight at Oakland Airport's historic North Field.
Oakland International Airport turns 70 years old in June.
2000
More than one million passengers (1,013,726) traveled through Oakland International Airport during the month of August, the first time ever in the airport's 73-year history.
2002
Oakland International celebrates 75th anniversary.
Rev. 06/02