PIA - A History: Booming Traffic, Jets on the Horizon (1964-1965)
The last post in this series dealt with the loss of both Trunk Airlines and the adequacy of the remaining carrier, Ozark Air Lines, to provide quality service for local air travelers. In terms of service, capacity and rising passenger traffic, it appears Ozark succeeded. In early 1964, Airport Director DeWitt Collins told the Greater Peoria Airport Authority that flights to New York and Washington, DC were possible, and consideration was being made for a new 6000' crosswind runway that was needed for jet service (Runway 12-30 already had 7000', plus 1000' overrun, but if closed for construction or weather, another jet-capable runway was needed to avoid having jet flights suspended). TWA AND PEORIA Jet service was possible at an earlier date had Trans World Airlines resumed service here. The carrier's service suspension eff. April 24, 1960 was for two years, and the carrier failed to file for an extension or a permanent suspension in 1962. In March 1964, the ...