| 1942 |
| The United States Army begins construction of a base of Air Corps
Operations on 545 acres in the Northeast section of Philadelphia.. Construction
was never completed and the United States Government turned the facility over
to the City of Philadelphia in 1944. The City then began the job of finishing
the facility for civilian commercial operations. |
| 1945 |
| Due to the closing of Philadelphia Municipal Airport, now known as
Philadelphia International Airport, the City of Philadelphia was without air
service from December 1943 to June 1945. Commercial air service was restored to
Philadelphia with the opening of Philadelphia Northeast Airport in June
1945. |
| 1948 |
| By City Ordinance, Philadelphia Northeast Airport is redesignated as
North Philadelphia Airport. |
| 1953 |
|
North
Philadelphia Airport ranks 21st in the nation in airfreight tonnage
handled.
North
Philadelphia Airport opens its new $93,000 fire station. Designated Engine 18,
the new fire unit consists of 33 firefighters, one pumper truck and one
jeep. |
| 1957 |
| The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), the predecessor to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) takes over operation of the North
Philadelphia Airport Control Tower. From the opening of the Airport in 1945
until 1957, the control tower was operated by City of Philadelphia personnel..
The transfer of responsibility from the City to the CAA saves the City $30,000
annually in personnel salaries |
| 1959 |
| North Philadelphia Airport handles more than 75,000 landings and
takeoffs. |
| 1960 |
| Due to the construction of Horn and Hardart on Blue Grass Road and
Whitman Chocolates on Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, Runway 10-28 is
abandoned and decommissioned. Runway 6-24 is extended from 5000 feet to 7000
feet of usable runway. |
| 1969 |
| North Philadelphia Airport handles more than 173,000
landings and takeoffs. |
| 1973 |
| In September 1973, Allegheny Commuter, serviced by Ransome Airlines,
begins regional commuter service from North Philadelphia Airport. The Airport
also increases its Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting service to include one
additional water and foam fire truck. The station is now designated Engine
76. |
| 1980 |
| City Ordinance is amended changing the name of North Philadelphia
Airport to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. |
| 1982 |
| Augusta Aviation Corporation opens its Northeast Service Center at
northeast Philadelphia Airport. The center is located in the North Philadelphia
Aviation Center (NORPAC) located at Red Lion & Norcom Roads. |
| 1987 |
| Augusta Aviation Corporation announces the relocation of its North
American headquarters from Bucks County to Northeast Philadelphia
Airport. |
| 1989 |
| Northeast Philadelphia Airport, without commuter flights since the
mid 1980's, relinquishes its Federal Aviation Administration, Part 139
Certification. Relinquishing this certificate results in the closing of the
fire station and the firefighters of Engine 76 are reassigned to other
Philadelphia Fire Department companies. |
| 1991 |
| Trans World Express (TWE) announces service from Philadelphia to John
F. Kennedy Airport and nine East Coast and Midwest cities. Northeast
Philadelphia Airport is designated as the administrative and training base for
TWE. |
| 1992 |
| Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) establishes the Northeast
Philadelphia Airport Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is made up of
community civic leaders and chaired by City Councilman Brian O'Neill. The
council's chief role is to inform and involve the community in the planning and
development of PNE. |
| 1995 |
| TWE, a commuter service owned by TWA and servicing Philadelphia
International Airport , announces it will cease operations on November 6, 1995.
Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which provided hanger and office space for
maintenance and flight training, loses one of its prime tenants. |
| 1998 |
| Northeast Philadelphia Airport handles 201,568 total
operations. |
| 2000 |
The Airport enters into a lease/purchase agreement with Liberty
Properties, Inc. for the development of approximately 95 acres. A portion of
the site is being developed for a 1,000,000 square foot distribution facility
for TJX Companies, Inc. Along with the development, TJX anticipates creating
approximately 1100 jobs. the facility is scheduled to be completed and fully
operational by November 2001.
Comcast-Spectacor and the Airport enter
into a long-term lease agreement for approximately 12 acres of land for the
construction of two indoor ice hockey rinks. Designated the Polonia Bank Flyers
Skate Zone, the facility will be devoted to promoting ice skating in the
Philadelphia community. Scheduled opening for this facility is September
2001. |
