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Spokane International Airport, located in Spokane, Washington, United States, is a commercial airport located around 7 miles west-southwest of downtown Spokane. The airport's code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field, which honoured Major Harold Geiger (1884–1927), an aviation pioneer and war veteran. The airport is jointly owned by Spokane County and the City of Spokane and is recognised as a small hub by the FAA.
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What You'll Learn
- Spokane International Airport's code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field
- Geiger Field was named after Major Harold Geiger, an aviation pioneer
- Geiger Field was a training base for eleven of twenty groups of B-17 bombers during World War II
- The airport's original name was Sunset Airport/Sunset Field
- Spokane International Airport is the second-largest airport in the state of Washington
Spokane International Airport's code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field
Spokane International Airport, a commercial airport in Spokane, Washington, is located around 7 miles (11 km) west-southwest of Downtown Spokane. It is jointly owned by Spokane County and the City of Spokane and is the primary airport serving the Inland Northwest, which includes 30 counties across Eastern Washington, Coeur d'Alene in North Idaho, and the Tri-Cities.
The airport's code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field, which was named in honour of Major Harold Geiger (1884–1927), an aviation pioneer and war veteran. Before 1941, it was known as Sunset Field, and it was purchased from the county by the War Department and renamed after Major Geiger, who died in a crash in 1927. During World War II, Geiger Field served as a significant training base for the Second Air Force and as a group training airfield for B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment units, with new aircraft obtained from Boeing near Seattle. It was also utilised by the Air Technical Service Command for aircraft maintenance and as a supply depot.
Geiger Field played a notable role in the history of aerial warfare, particularly during and after World War II. It was used as a training base by the Army Air Corps in 1939, and eleven of the twenty groups of B-17 bombers stationed in England during the war received partial training at this field. The field was closed in late 1945 and subsequently transferred to Spokane County, paving the way for its development into a commercial airport.
Spokane International Airport has undergone various expansions and improvements over the years. The airport processed a record 4.1 million passengers and over 77,000 US air cargo tons in 2023, showcasing its significant role in the region's transportation and economic growth.
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Geiger Field was named after Major Harold Geiger, an aviation pioneer
Spokane International Airport, with the code GEG, derives its name from its former designation as Geiger Field, named in honour of Major Harold Geiger, a true aviation pioneer and a key figure in the early history of military and commercial aviation in the United States.
Major Harold Geiger was a native of Ohio, born in 1884, and he began his military career in the infantry. However, his passion for aviation led him to transfer to the Air Service in 1917, where he quickly distinguished himself as a talented and innovative pilot. He was a pioneer in aerial warfare, developing tactics for using aircraft in ground attacks and establishing the first aerial gunnery school in the United States.
During World War I, Major Geiger served in France, where he commanded the 3rd Aviation Instruction Centre, training new pilots and developing techniques for aerial combat. After the war, he continued to play a pivotal role in the advancement of aviation. He was instrumental in the formation of the Army Air Corps and served as the first commander of Crissy Field, an air base in San Francisco, where he oversaw the development of airmail and commercial aviation operations.
In 1923, Major Geiger was assigned to Spokane to establish an air service field, and thus, Geiger Field was born. The field served as a vital hub for military and civilian aviation in the region. It was a centre for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and a staging ground for forest fire patrols and search-and-rescue missions. The field also played a significant role in the development of commercial aviation, with early airmail and passenger flights operating from the base.
Major Harold Geiger's contributions to aviation were cut short by tragedy. In 1927, he died in an aircraft crash while testing a new plane. However, his legacy lived on, and the field that bore his name continued to thrive. In 1941, it became a municipal airport, and in 1960, it was renamed Spokane International Airport. Despite the name change, the airport code GEG remains as a tribute to its historic roots and the pioneering spirit of Major Harold Geiger.
So, the next time you find yourself at Spokane International Airport, remember the story of Major Harold Geiger and his pivotal role in shaping not just the airport but also the broader landscape of American aviation. His legacy is a reminder of the pioneering spirit and innovation that have propelled aviation to the heights it enjoys today.
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Geiger Field was a training base for eleven of twenty groups of B-17 bombers during World War II
Spokane International Airport, located in Spokane, Washington, is a commercial airport that serves as a hub for the Inland Northwest, encompassing Spokane, the Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington, and Coeur d'Alene in North Idaho. The airport's official code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field, which played a significant role during World War II.
Geiger Field, originally known as Sunset Airport or Sunset Field, was taken over by the Army Air Corps in 1939 to serve as a training base. During World War II, it became a pivotal training ground for B-17 bombers, also known as Flying Fortresses. Eleven out of twenty groups of these bombers, stationed in England during the war, received their training at Geiger Field. The field was named in honour of Major Harold Geiger, an aviation pioneer and war veteran who passed away in a crash in 1927.
The history of aviation in Spokane dates back even further, to 1911, when a daring pilot flew across the country from Ohio to win a bet. In the following years, various landing strips and airfields emerged, including Glover Field and Parkwater Field (later renamed Felts Field). However, Geiger Field's contribution as a training base during World War II solidified its place in Spokane's aviation history.
During the war, Geiger Field was a bustling centre for the Second Air Force, providing group training for the B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment units. The field also served as a crucial aircraft maintenance and supply depot for the Air Technical Service Command. Its strategic location allowed for a rail connection to the Great Northern Railway. Additionally, in 1943, Geiger Field witnessed the establishment of the first formal fire protection training course by General Hap Arnold.
Following the war, in 1946, Geiger Field was closed and transferred to Spokane County, marking the beginning of its transformation into a commercial airport. Spokane International Airport, as it is known today, retains the GEG code as a reminder of its historical roots, honouring the legacy of Major Harold Geiger and the significant role the airport played during World War II.
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The airport's original name was Sunset Airport/Sunset Field
Spokane International Airport, located in Spokane, Washington, is a commercial airport that processed 4.1 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest airport in the state. The airport's code, GEG, is derived from its former name, Geiger Field, which honoured Major Harold Geiger (1884–1927), an aviation pioneer who died in a crash in 1927.
The airport was originally called Sunset Airport or Sunset Field before 1941. In 1939, the facility was taken over by the Army Air Corps to be used as a training base for B-17 bombers during World War II. In 1941, the War Department purchased the airport from the county and renamed it Geiger Field. This name was used until 1960, when the airport received its present name, Spokane International Airport, after the City of Spokane was allotted Spokane Geiger Field by the Surplus Property Act.
The history of aviation in Spokane began in 1911 when a daredevil pilot flew across the country from Ohio to win a bet. In 1912, aviators were flying in and out of Glover Field, and after World War I, a Flying Circus staged stunts and took customers up for $5 (equivalent to $81 today). Another landing strip was created in the nearby valley and was named Parkwater Field, now known as Felts Field since 1927. Spokane has played a unique part in the history of aerial warfare, both during and after World War II.
Geiger Field was a significant training base during the war, with eleven of the twenty groups of B-17 bombers stationed in England receiving partial training at the field. It was also used by the Air Technical Service Command as an aircraft maintenance and supply depot, with Deer Park Airport and Felts Field serving as auxiliaries. In 1943, General Hap Arnold established the first formal fire protection training course at Geiger Field, which remained in operation until 1946. The field was served by a rail connection to the Great Northern Railway.
In 1945, Geiger Field was closed and transferred to the War Assets Administration (WAA) and then to Spokane County, which developed it into a commercial airport. Spokane International Airport is now jointly owned by Spokane County and the City of Spokane, with a focus on environmental leadership and safety for passengers, staff, and the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene regional communities. The airport is committed to addressing PFAS concerns and has a significant economic impact on the Spokane Region, supporting over 3,000 jobs and generating $3 billion in direct and indirect annual revenue.
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Spokane International Airport is the second-largest airport in the state of Washington
Spokane International Airport, also known as GEG Airport, is the second-largest airport in the state of Washington. The airport is located in Spokane, Washington, and serves as a major transportation hub for the Inland Northwest region. With a total of 4,264,875 passengers served in 2024, it is ranked as the 73rd busiest airport in the United States in terms of passenger enplanements.
The history of aviation in Spokane began in 1911 when a daredevil pilot flew across the country from Ohio to win a bet. In 1912, aviators were already flying in and out of Glover Field, located below the Monroe Street bridge. After World War I, a "Flying Circus" entertained and thrilled audiences, offering customers a chance to fly for $5 per ride (equivalent to $81 today). Another landing strip, Parkwater Field, was created in the nearby valley and was later renamed Felts Field in 1927.
During World War II, Spokane played a significant role in aerial warfare. The airport, then known as Sunset Airport, was taken over by the Army Air Corps in 1939 and became a training base. It was renamed Geiger Field in honour of Major Harold Geiger, an aviation pioneer and war veteran who died in a crash in 1927. Geiger Field served as a major training base for B-17 bomber groups during the war and was also used for aircraft maintenance and supply.
Today, Spokane International Airport covers 6,140 acres, making it the largest commercial/public airport in Washington state in terms of land area, excluding military airfields, general aviation, and cargo airports. The airport is served by seven airlines, offering non-stop service to more than 20 destinations within the continental US. It is well-connected to the surrounding region, with Spokane Transit operating four bus stops at the airport and several rental car companies serving the area.
Spokane International Airport has undergone recent expansions to accommodate growing passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport began a $150 million project to expand Concourse C, adding six new gates and modernising the terminal. The airport also has plans for centralised security, an expanded baggage claim area, and the addition of direct flights to the East Coast. These improvements aim to enhance the airport's capacity and accessibility, solidifying its position as a significant aviation hub in the state of Washington.
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Frequently asked questions
Spokane International Airport's code, GEG, comes from its former name, Geiger Field, which honoured Major Harold Geiger, an aviation pioneer and war veteran.
Major Harold Geiger was an aviation pioneer and war veteran who died in a crash in 1927.
Spokane International Airport was formerly known as Sunset Airport or Sunset Field.
The airport received its present name in 1960.
Spokane Airport is jointly owned by Spokane County and the City of Spokane.
