John Wayne Airport

:Orange County Airport redirects here. For the general aviation airport in New York state, see Orange County Airport (New York).

Related Topics:
New York - Orange County Airport (New York)

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John Wayne-Orange County Airport (IATA Airport Code SNA) is located in Orange County, California, between the cities of Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. It serves both general and commercial aviation for the Orange County Area. Originally named simply the Orange County Airport, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed it to honor the actor John Wayne in 1979.

Related Topics:
IATA Airport Code - Orange County, California - Santa Ana - Newport Beach - Costa Mesa - Irvine - John Wayne - 1979

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In 2004, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Chris Norby, tried to get the name changed to The O.C. Airport, John Wayne Field, because of the popularity of the TV series The O.C.. He backed down after receiving some negative publicity and angry responses from Orange County residents.

Related Topics:
2004 - Chris Norby - The O.C.

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John Wayne Airport is served by eleven commercial airlines and four commuter airlines. It has one main terminal, the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, named for the County Supervisor who had lobbied for the airport's expansion in the 1980s. The Riley Terminal is divided into two concourses, A and B. A separate terminal serves general aviation.

Related Topics:
1980s - General aviation

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The first airstrip on the grounds was constructed in 1923, when Eddie Martin founded a flying school on land owned by the Irvine Company. It was purchased through a land swap by the County of Orange in 1939 and remains under the County's ownership and management.

Related Topics:
1923 - Eddie Martin - Irvine Company - 1939

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On June 19, 1950, the first commercial drag strip, the Santa Ana Drag, was started on a runway at the airport and ran every Sunday. Due to increased air traffic, the strip was forced to close in 1959.

Related Topics:
June 19 - 1950 - 1959

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On August 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255, which was flying from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport near Detroit, Michigan to John Wayne Airport with an intermediate stop at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, crashed after takeoff in Detroit, killing all of the passengers except for a young girl.

Related Topics:
August 16 - 1987 - Northwest Airlines Flight 255 - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport - Detroit - Michigan - Sky Harbor International Airport - Phoenix - Arizona

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Population and economic growth in the region spurred expansion and remodeling projects in 1974, 1980, 1982, and 1990. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new airport was proposed on the nearby site of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. After a prolonged battle, however, the proposal was defeated and no new airport was built.

Related Topics:
1974 - 1980 - 1982 - 1990 - 1990s - 2000s - El Toro Marine Corps Air Station

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In 2003, SNA served 8,535,130 persons and 15,406 tons of air cargo. Additionally, 2003 saw 249,551 takeoffs and landings by general aviation.

Related Topics:
2003 - Air cargo

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