Peoria Station

Events involving PIA continued their rapid pace during 1983.  The year began with the area's largest employer, Caterpillar Tractor Co., on strike. Begun October 1, 1982, it lasted nearly 30 weeks until April 24, 1983. Although the strike had ended, the company continued to suffer declining engine and machine sales. Additional layoffs were announced shortly and people telling each other, "Will the last person leaving Peoria please turn out the lights?" And yet, passenger traffic at the Greater Peoria Airport began to grow again. Perhaps it was more a reflection of the national economy, which began showing signs of life in late 1982. Recovery continued into 1983 as inflation slowed, fuel prices declined and reduced tax rates helped fuel consumer spending and business investment. Some cite the end of fare wars that prompted travelers to drive to Chicago or St. Louis instead of flying out of Peoria.  Because Ozark had significantly reduced service at Peoria in 1981...

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 ...

(Originally posted on peoriastation.com March 26, 2017) The last post in this series on PIA (Peoria Int'l Airport) covered the 1958-1960 period, detailing the new terminal which opened in May 1959. Airline schedules from the Official Airline Guide, January 1960 edition, were included. I’ll now analyze 1960-1964. The new terminal brought optimism that the 1960s would bring larger aircraft and more flights. Indeed, the Peoria Journal Star reported on May 13, 1959 that American Airlines might replace its 40-seat Convair 240s with 70-seat DC-6s and eventually the new turboprop Lockheed Electra. Likewise, Trans World Airlines intended to phase out its 40-seat Martin 404s in favor of 81-seat Lockheed Constellations. This optimism shattered when Trans World Airlines announced on January 13, 1960 plans to drop Peoria from its network. Then American Airlines made a similar announcement March 9 that year. As a courtesy to TWA’s 13 years of service, Peoria industry did not oppos...

(Originally posted on peoriastation.com on February 1, 2017) When the Greater Peoria Airport tallied 94,914 passengers in 1957 (a 13.3 percent increase over the previous year), it looked as if the airport would top 100,000 for the first time in 1958. But this was not to be. A recession plagued the nation’s economy by late 1957. It would last eight months, and one serious consequence – 3,000 layoffs by Caterpillar Tractor Company – hurt the local economy, and thus airline passenger traffic. Only 90,873 passengers enplaned/ deplaned at PIA in 1958. An American Airlines strike, begun December 19 (and ended January 10), couldn’t have helped matters either. NEW TERMINAL Yet as 1958 unfolded, there was much to look forward. Runway 12-30 was extended to 7,000 feet with an additional 1,000 overrun. It opened for traffic on August 16, enabling the 169th’s F-84s to fly out of their own base. Even better, a new mid-field terminal complex would soon replace the old cramped facility ...

(Originally posted on peoriastation.com October 11, 2016) The last post in this series covered the period between 1950 and 1956. This one covers the ensuing two years. That’s because a lot happened, which set the stage for decades to come. LONGER RUNWAY FOR ANG JET FIGHTERS Runway 12-30, with a northwest-southeast orientation, opened with 4002′ x 100′ dimensions. In 1947, it was extended to 5000′ and widened to 150′ for operations by the 169th’s P-51 Mustangs. As early as 1948, a USAF general suggested ANG would soon obtain jet fighters, requiring at least 6000′ runway length. At first, the airport’s 3600′ northeast-southwest runway (4-22) was to be lengthened to 4800′ or 5000′. Unfortunately, issues with mining subsidence and airfield funding delayed these projects, and by the time they were solved, the Korean War consumed funding and supplies which would have enabled runway expansion. Another issue was Monroe School, which would have to relocate if 4-22 were extend...

(Originally posted July 7, 2016) The newly-renamed Greater Peoria Airport handled 22,903 passengers in 1950. Traffic grew rapidly through 1955 when the facility served 68,058 passengers. Below is a summary of air service changes from the last post, PIA – A History: Airline Service in 1950 , to March 1956. AMERICAN AIRLINES Although the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) recommended suspension of its PIA service and replacement by Ozark, American Airlines fought to retain its route authority. In the end, Ozark was allowed Chicago rights, and AA retained its existing services. BYERLY AIRLINES On April 21, 1953 Byerly Aviation began a Peoria-Chicago (Midway) air taxi service using a Beech Bonanza. An evening flight was added on December 1 that year. In September 1954, service was extended to Jacksonville, Illinois. Ozark Air Lines’ Peoria-Chicago (Midway) flights, which began October 19, 1954, proved devastating to Byerly’s own service. I’ve not found an end date for the f...

(Originally posted on January 27, 2016) The last installment in this series detailed the threat posed by inadequate facilities, mining subsidence and the lack of funding for necessary capital improvements. This post will analyze air service changes. Peoria’s municipal airport experienced major air service changes in 1950. When the year started, air carriers numbered just two – American and TWA. Lets review happenings by each. AMERICAN AIRLINES This carrier operated a daily flight in each direction between Chicago, Peoria, Springfield and St. Louis with a 40-seat Convair 240. No known major changes occurred during the year, but Peoria did see an emergency landing in the early morning hours of December 26. The Peoria Star reported that American Airlines’ Californian , operating from Chicago to Los Angeles, made an emergency landing here due to a heating unit fire. The aircraft, probably a DC-6, had 57 passengers. TRANS WORLD AIRLINES On March 15, 1950, a TWA flight ...