Last Updated on Friday, 01 October 2010 09:46

The Westchester County Airport  was originally constructed on land purchased by Westchester County.  However, World War II began, and the land set aside for the airport was appropriated by the United States Army. 

In 1944, when the pressure for fighter planes to defend New York City from enemy attack had passed, the airport was returned to the County and opened for civilian use.

Although the airport opened in February 1945, it was three years before the first commercial flight took off from Westchester Airport.

Beginning in 1952, the United States Air National Guard maintained a base at the airport for reserve training and transportation missions. However, the military presence at the airport ended in 1983 when the unit moved to Stewart Airport.

Since then, the airport has been developed, with respect for the environment and the surrounding communities, as an economic development tool to enhance the attractiveness of Westchester as a place to live and do business.

In 2005, discount airlines came to the airport for the first time. This offered low cost transportation to recreational destinations in addition to the cities that had been the focus of business for commercial service until that time. 

Since then, annual commercial aircraft passenger departures and arrivals have doubled to approximately 1.9 million per year, while the total number of aircraft operations has actually declined. About 55 commercial aircraft depart from the airport on a typical day.

In 2009, total operations were comprised of approximately 23% commercial aircraft operations, 45% heavy general aviation, and 32% light general aviation.