Waycross, Georgia: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Waycross, Georgia, is home to the Waycross-Ware County Airport (IATA: AYS, ICAO: KAYS, FAA LID: AYS), which is located four miles northwest of the city. The airport covers 1,051 acres of land and has three asphalt runways. The airport was established in April 1930 and has been used for various purposes, including military training during World War II. While there are no scheduled airlines serving Waycross currently, the airport continues to welcome visitors from across the United States and offers a unique glimpse into aviation history.

Waycross-Ware County Airport exists

Waycross-Ware County Airport does exist and is located four miles northwest of Waycross in Ware County, Georgia. The airport is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County and covers 1,051 acres of land, boasting three asphalt runways.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1930 when Ware County and Waycross established an airport three miles northwest of the city. In 1935, a guide described the airport as a sod airfield with no servicing, operated by the Department of Commerce. During World War II, the Army Air Forces negotiated with Ware County and Waycross to lease the land, including the airport, for a fee of $1 per year. The Army constructed additional runways and buildings, including a hospital and accommodation for service squadrons.

In April 1945, Waycross received brand new P-51 Mustangs, and by July of the same year, they had trained 15 classes of pilots. However, with the end of the war in sight, the Army closed the base on October 15, 1945, and returned the airport to the county and city.

Today, the airport has no scheduled airline service, but it still sees a significant number of aircraft operations, averaging 49 per day in 2022. The airport invites visitors to come and enjoy its hospitality, offering history displays, complimentary refreshments, and a back porch to watch the aircraft.

It is 4 miles from Waycross

Waycross, Georgia, is indeed home to an airport, the Waycross-Ware County Airport (IATA: AYS, ICAO: KAYS, FAA LID: AYS). The airport is located just four miles northwest of the city and is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County. With a rich history, the airport was initially established in 1930, three miles northwest of the city. It was then expanded during World War II when the Army Air Forces negotiated a lease for the land, and two existing runways were lengthened to 5,000 feet, with an additional third runway of the same length added. Today, the airport covers 1,051 acres and has three asphalt runways. The longest of these, Runway 1/19, is 5,992 feet long and features low to high-intensity lighting, with an ILS approach at one end and a GPS approach at the other. The second longest, Runway 5/23, is 5,044 feet long, and the shortest, Runway 13/31, is 3,554 feet long.

The Waycross-Ware County Airport has a varied history, including serving as a training ground for pilots during World War II. The airport received new P-51 Mustangs in 1945, which were used for air-to-air gunnery due to the cockpit heat caused by the aircraft's bubble canopy in summer. The base also received a Douglas C-47 and a Beech C-45, which were used for cross-country liberty flights to cities like Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago. By July 1945, the base had trained 15 classes of pilots. However, as the war drew to a close, the Army closed the base in October 1945, and the airport was returned to Ware County and the City of Waycross.

Today, the airport is a quiet general aviation hub, with 18,000 aircraft operations in the year ending December 21, 2022, averaging 49 per day. The airport is also home to 37 based aircraft, including 34 single-engine planes, 2 multi-engine planes, and 1 jet. Visitors to the airport can enjoy a glass-bottled Coke from the circa 1940s Coke machine and complimentary bags of fresh popcorn while taking in the history displays in the terminal. The airport also boasts a back porch where visitors can relax and watch the aircraft come and go.

It has 3 asphalt runways

Waycross, Georgia, is home to the Waycross-Ware County Airport (IATA: AYS, ICAO: KAYS, FAA LID: AYS). The airport is located four miles northwest of the city of Waycross and is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County. The airport covers 1,051 acres of land and, notably, boasts three asphalt runways.

The construction of the runways has an interesting history. In 1941, the Civil Aeronautics Authority built two 4,000-foot asphalt runways as part of Congress's National Defense Program. As World War II loomed, the Army Air Forces negotiated with Ware County and Waycross to lease 3,000 acres of land, including the airport. The lease was agreed at an annual fee of just $1. The Army then extended the two existing runways to a length of 5,000 feet and added a third runway of the same length.

Today, the three asphalt runways vary in length. Runway 1/19 measures 5,992 by 100 feet, with low to high-intensity lighting. It has an ILS approach on one end and a GPS approach on the other. Runway 5/23 is slightly shorter, at 5,044 by 100 feet, while Runway 13/31 is the shortest of the three, at 3,554 by 75 feet.

The Waycross-Ware County Airport has a rich history, including its role during World War II and the arrival of P-51 Mustangs in 1945. The airport's terminal building displays a brief history of the Army Air Forces' presence, and visitors can also see a monument erected at the airport's entrance to commemorate the Army's time there.

It is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County

Waycross, Georgia, does have an airport: the Waycross–Ware County Airport (IATA: AYS, ICAO: KAYS, FAA LID: AYS). The airport is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County. It is located four miles northwest of Waycross and covers 1,051 acres (425 ha). The airport has three asphalt runways, with the longest being Runway 1/19, which is 5,992 × 100 ft (30 m) with low to high-intensity lighting. The other two runways are also 100 ft (30 m) wide, with Runway 5/23 being 5,044 ft long and Runway 13/31 being 3,554 ft long.

The history of the Waycross–Ware County Airport dates back to the 1930s. In April 1930, Ware County and the City of Waycross established an airport three miles northwest of the city. A 1935 airport guide described the Ware County Airport as a sod airfield, roughly half-square, with a hangar and no servicing, operated by the Department of Commerce. In 1941, the Civil Aeronautics Authority constructed two 4,000-ft asphalt runways under Congress's National Defense Program.

With the outbreak of World War II, the Army Air Forces negotiated with Ware County and Waycross to lease 3,000 acres, including the airport. The lease was agreed upon for $1 per year. The Army extended the two existing runways to 5,000 ft and added a third runway of the same length. They also built a cantonment area to accommodate tactical and service squadrons, as well as a hospital with 118 beds. The Army continued to develop the site, adding housing for more service squadrons, a fire station, a motor repair building, and warehouses.

In April 1945, Waycross received P-51 Mustangs, and the base's enlisted men enjoyed liberty flights to various cities across the country. However, with the end of the war, the Army closed the Waycross base in October 1945, returning the airport to Ware County and the City of Waycross. Today, the airport no longer has any scheduled airline service, but it still operates as a general aviation facility, welcoming visitors from all over the United States.

It has no scheduled airline service

Waycross, Georgia, does have an airport—the Waycross-Ware County Airport (IATA: AYS, ICAO: KAYS, FAA LID: AYS). However, it does not have any scheduled airline service. The airport is located four miles northwest of Waycross and covers 1,051 acres of land, featuring three asphalt runways.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1930 when Ware County and the City of Waycross established an airport three miles northwest of the city. During World War II, the Army Air Forces negotiated with Ware County and Waycross to lease the land, including the airport, for a nominal fee of $1 per year. The Army constructed additional runways and buildings, including a cantonment area to accommodate tactical and service squadrons, as well as a hospital. In April 1945, Waycross received new P-51 Mustangs, and by July of the same year, they had trained 15 classes of pilots. However, with the end of the war, the Army closed its operations in Waycross in October 1945, returning the airport to the county and the city.

Today, the Waycross-Ware County Airport primarily serves general aviation and military aircraft operations. In the year ending December 21, 2022, the airport recorded 18,000 aircraft operations, averaging 49 per day, with 98% attributed to general aviation and 3% to military use. The airport is also home to a variety of aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, and jet planes.

While the airport does not offer scheduled commercial flights, it invites visitors to explore its terminal, which features history displays, a circa 1940s Coke machine, and complimentary popcorn. The airport also encourages visitors to relax on its back porch, offering a unique opportunity to watch aircraft come and go. Additionally, the airport plays a role in promoting community involvement and awareness through its public information officer, who organises marketing and public relations programs to keep the local community informed about the airport's activities and local issues.

Frequently asked questions