Portland's Evolution: Multiple Airports Over The Years

Portland has had at least three airports, including Portland International Airport, Troutdale Airport, and Swan Island Airport. Portland International Airport is Oregon's second busiest airport, and is home to 25 businesses, including the aircraft operation facilities for Intel and Nike. Troutdale Airport is a popular airport for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours, and recreational flying. Swan Island Airport was the first airport in Portland, located northwest of downtown Portland on the Willamette River.

The Port of Portland currently operates three airports

The third airport is Portland International Airport, which was previously known as Portland–Columbia Airport to distinguish it from the then-operating Swan Island Airport. The airport was constructed in the 1930s and employed over 1,000 men. It was described by historian Neil Barker as "Portland's most significant public works improvement during the New Deal era". The WPA and Port of Portland faced difficulties in preparing the site for construction because the low-lying area was frequently covered by flood waters from the Columbia River. Workers covered the area with over 4 million cubic yards of sand to help drain it of water, and constructed a series of dikes to control flooding. Two runways capable of serving the modern aircraft of the time were operational by 1941.

By 1974, the airport was served by Braniff, Cascade, Continental, Eastern, Hughes Airwest, Northwest Orient, Pan Am, United and Western, and the Seattle route was served by seven airlines with aircraft as large as Boeing 747s. In 1974, the south runway was extended to 11,000 feet to service the newest jumbo jets. The terminal building was renovated and expanded in 1977. United was the dominant carrier at PDX during the regulated era and through the 1980s. Air Oregon started short-haul service from Portland following deregulation in 1978, and by 1979 had routes to seven other cities in Oregon.

The busiest airport is home to 25 businesses, including Nike and Intel

Portland has had at least two airports, with the Port of Portland currently owning and operating two general aviation airports. One of these airports is Oregon's second busiest airport, home to 25 businesses, including Nike and Intel. The other is Troutdale Airport, which is a popular airport for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours and recreational flying.

The Port of Portland also claims to have three airports, three operating marine terminals, and five business parks. However, it is unclear which airport is not included in the previous list.

Portland's first airport was the Swan Island Municipal Airport, which was located northwest of downtown Portland on the Willamette River. This airport was operational in 1941 and was designated "Portland–Columbia Airport" to distinguish it from Swan Island Airport.

Troutdale Airport is a popular airport for flight training and recreational flying

Portland has had at least three airports: Portland International Airport, Swan Island Airport and Troutdale Airport. Troutdale Airport is a popular airport for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours and recreational flying. It is located on the east side of Portland, at the gateway to the scenic Columbia River Gorge. It is home to 25 businesses, including the aircraft operation facilities for Intel and Nike.

Portland's first airport was Swan Island Municipal Airport

Today, Portland has three airports, including Portland International Airport, which is served by nine airlines and is home to 25 businesses, including the aircraft operation facilities for Intel and Nike. The airport is also used by the Oregon Air National Guard, which has a base on the southwest portion of the airport property grounds. Troutdale Airport is another airport located on the east side of Portland and is a popular airport for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours, and recreational flying.

The construction of Portland International Airport employed over 1,000 men

Portland has had at least two airports: Portland International Airport and Swan Island Airport.

The airport was served by Braniff, Cascade, Continental, Eastern, Hughes Airwest, Northwest Orient, Pan Am, United and Western by 1974, and the Seattle route was served by seven airlines with aircraft as large as Boeing 747s. In 1974, the south runway was extended to 11,000 feet (3,400 m) to service the newest jumbo jets. The terminal building was renovated and expanded in 1977. United was the dominant carrier at PDX during the regulated era and through the 1980s. Air Oregon started short-haul service from Portland following deregulation in 1978, and by 1979 had routes to seven other cities in Oregon.

The Port of Portland owns and operates two general aviation airports that serve private and business aircraft. Troutdale Airport is located on the east side of Portland, at the gateway to the scenic Columbia River Gorge. It’s a popular airport for fixed-wing flight training, scenic tours and recreational flying.

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