Iowa City's Airport: An Aviation Hub Or A Missed Flight?

Iowa City is home to the Iowa City Municipal Airport (KIOW), a general aviation facility that opened in 1918 and is the oldest airstrip west of the Mississippi River that is still in its original location. The airport is located two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City, in Johnson County, and is integrated into the activities of the University of Iowa. While the airport has no scheduled airline service, it supports the strategic goals of the city and contributes to the region's economic vitality. The nearest airport with commercial airline service is the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, which is approximately 19 miles or a 30-minute drive from Iowa City.

Iowa City Municipal Airport's location and history

The Iowa City Municipal Airport (IATA: IOW, ICAO: KIOW, FAA LID: IOW) is located two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City, in Johnson County, Iowa. The airport is close to Interstates 80 and 380, as well as U.S. Highways 6 and 218, and Iowa Highway 1. The airport covers 450 acres of land at an elevation of 683 feet. It has two concrete runways: 7/25, which is 5,002 by 100 feet, and 12/30, which is 3,900 by 75 feet.

Iowa City Municipal Airport is the oldest civil airport west of the Mississippi River that is still in its original location. It opened in 1918 and is the third most active general aviation airport in Iowa, with 92 aircraft based there. The airport conducts approximately 36,000 flight operations annually, generating $24 million of activity for the local economy.

The airport has a rich history in aviation. In 1910, Captain Thomas S. Baldwin flew over Iowa City, creating excitement about air travel. Between 1910 and 1911, it is suggested that 23 different aviators made around 46 flights in Iowa. An open plot of farmland owned by W.J. Benjamin became a popular landing spot for those brave enough to take a biplane to the skies. Iowa City became the only stop during the inaugural airmail flight from Chicago to Omaha. On the return journey, the pilot carried a live 10-pound piglet as the first piece of mail. In 1927, Boeing flew a reporter from the Chicago Herald, Jane Eads, from Chicago to Iowa City, marking the start of the era of commercial aviation for the airport. Ozark Airlines provided flights to and from Iowa City until 1972, when all air passenger service headed north to Cedar Rapids.

The airport is integrated into the activities of the University of Iowa, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the athletics department, and other academic colleges. The airport provides a full array of services, including medical flights, pilot training, aircraft repair, sales, and charter services.

The Airport Commission's role

Iowa City is served by the Iowa City Municipal Airport, which is located two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City, in Johnson County. The airport is operated by the Airport Commission, which is comprised of five members appointed by the Mayor/City Council.

In addition, the Airport Commission is responsible for certifying the amount of taxes to be levied for airport purposes. All funds derived from taxation or other sources for airport purposes are under the control of the Airport Commission and can only be disbursed with their written warrants or orders.

The Airport Commission meets monthly in the airport terminal conference room, and these meetings are open to the public. The Commission's work helps create and enrich economic, educational, healthcare, cultural, and recreational opportunities for the greater Iowa City community.

Iowa City's nearest airports

Iowa City does indeed have an airport, the Iowa City Municipal Airport (IATA: IOW, ICAO: KIOW, FAA LID: IOW). It is located two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City, in Johnson County, Iowa. The airport has been in operation since 1918 and is the oldest civil airport west of the Mississippi River still in its original location.

The Iowa City Municipal Airport is a general aviation facility, with no scheduled airline services. It covers 450 acres of land and has two concrete runways. The airport is integrated into the activities of the University of Iowa, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the athletics department, and other academic colleges.

The closest airline airport to Iowa City is The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID/KCID) in Cedar Rapids, about 19 miles (31 km) northwest of Iowa City. This airport is recommended for those travelling to Iowa City, as it offers direct ground transportation to the city.

Other nearby airports include:

• Burlington, IA (BRL/KBRL) Southeast Iowa Regional Airport - 64.8/82 miles
• Moline, IL (MLI/KMLI) Quad City International Airport - 55.2/64 miles
• Des Moines, IA (DSM/KDSM) Des Moines International Airport - 110.4/125 miles
• Waterloo, IA (ALO/KALO) Waterloo Regional Airport - 90 miles

The Airport's economic impact

Iowa City is served by the Iowa City Municipal Airport, which is located two miles southwest of the city in Johnson County. The airport is the third most active general aviation airport in Iowa, with 84-92 aircraft based there and approximately 36,000 flight operations annually.

The airport has a significant economic impact on the region, contributing to its vitality and community pride. According to the 2022 Iowa Aviation Economic Impact Report, the airport brings in $24 million in total economic activity to the Iowa City area annually. This is a considerable increase from the $11.2 million reported in the previous economic impact report conducted in 2009.

The airport's primary function is business aviation, especially related to the University of Iowa. It is integrated into the activities of the University, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the medical college, other academic colleges, and the athletics department. The airport also provides a safe and cost-effective general aviation facility for the community, supporting the strategic goals of the City of Iowa City.

The economic activity generated by the airport includes visitor spending, construction, and investments. The airport also creates and enriches economic, educational, healthcare, cultural, and recreational opportunities for the greater Iowa City community. It is a vital transportation hub, connecting people and goods from all corners of Iowa to the rest of the world.

Iowa City's first airmail flight

Iowa City does have an airport—the Iowa City Municipal Airport (IATA: IOW, ICAO: KIOW, FAA LID: IOW). Located two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City in Johnson County, Iowa, it is the oldest civil airport west of the Mississippi River that is still in its original location.

On January 8, 1920, Iowa City became the only stop during the first-ever airmail flight between Chicago and Omaha. The pilot, Walter J. Smith, transported 400 pounds of U.S. mail and a slab of beef to Omaha on the outbound journey. On the return trip to Chicago, he carried a 10-pound piglet, marking the first "mail" flown from Iowa City. This flight was a significant milestone in the history of aviation in Iowa City and the United States.

The first full-transcontinental airmail flights commenced on September 8, 1920, with Iowa City serving as the sole stop for refuelling between Chicago and Omaha. These flights were restricted to daylight hours and offered minimal advantage over train-delivered mail.

In February 1921, the Iowa City Airport, now renamed "Smith Field" after the untimely demise of Walter J. Smith, was designated as a refuelling stop on the inaugural transcontinental day/night airmail attempt. This flight aimed to test the feasibility of round-the-clock mail delivery by air in all weather conditions. However, adverse weather conditions forced several pilots to divert from their planned routes, and one eastbound pilot crashed in Nevada.

The Iowa City Municipal Airport continued to play a role in the development of airmail services. In 1927, Boeing Air Transport took over the San Francisco-to-Chicago airmail route and assumed responsibility for managing and improving the Iowa City airport. This marked the beginning of commercial aviation at the airport, with the first commercial passenger flight into Iowa City occurring the same year.

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