News & Facts

Airport History

1920's - Aviation Pioneer Eddie Martin Built Private Landing Strip

John Wayne Airport originated as a private landing strip, built in the 1920's by aviation pioneer Eddie Martin on The Irvine Company land. In 1923, Martin founded a flying school and Martin Aviation, one of the nation’s oldest aviation firms. John Wayne Airport became a publicly owned facility in 1939 through a land swap between The Irvine Company and the County of Orange. After serving as a military base during World War II, it was returned by the federal government to the County with the stipulation that it remain open to all kinds of aviation uses.

1967 - Eddie Martin Terminal Built

The 22,000-square foot Eddie Martin Terminal was built in 1967 to accommodate 400,000 annual passengers. Remodeling added two passenger holding areas in 1974, a new baggage claim area in 1980 and a terminal annex building in 1982, bringing the facility to 29,000-square feet.

1979 - Orange County Airport Renamed

On June 20, 1979, the Orange County Airport was renamed John Wayne Airport by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to honor the late actor John Wayne.

1985 - Settlement Agreement

A Federal Court settlement was signed in 1985 by the County of Orange, the City of Newport Beach, the Airport Working Group (AWG), and Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON) to formalize the consensus reached between the County of Orange and the local communities on the nature and extent of airport improvements and defined operational and capacity limitations on those improvements.

Late 1980's - Airport Improvement Project

The John Wayne Airport Improvement Project was the largest public works project in the County’s history and included expanded parking facilities and construction of the Thomas F. Riley Terminal.

Construction on the first portion of the Airport Improvement Project began in 1987 with the groundbreaking for the westside development of general aviation parking areas which had been located on the site for the new terminal.

September 16, 1990 - Thomas F. Riley Terminal Opened to the Public

The Thomas F. Riley Terminal was opened to the public on September 16, 1990. The 337,900-square foot building boasts 14 loading bridges, four baggage carousels, two airline club lounges and a variety of food and gift concessions. The terminal was named after the Fifth District Supervisor whose role in community negotiations advanced the improvement project.

Architects from Leason Pomeroy Associates, Gensler and Associates and Thompson Consultants International designed the terminal to resemble an airplane fuselage. The terminal was designed to be viewed from any vantage point on its 360-degree exposure to view. Outstanding features include finishings in natural stone, stainless steel and an 80-foot glass enclosed central lobby. The total budget for all improvements was $310 million. Funding for the Airport Improvement Project was derived from a number of sources: general obligation revenue bonds, FAA grants and existing airport revenues.

1994 - Eddie Martin Terminal Demolished

In 1994, the Eddie Martin Terminal was demolished.

1999 - East Parking Structure Built

In 1999, the east parking structure was expanded to add nearly 2000 spaces and a Ground Transportation Center. The entire $28 million project was paid for with reserve funds.

2002 - Settlement Agreement Amended

In 2002, the 1985 settlement agreement was amended. The new agreement allows John Wayne Airport to increase passenger levels and daily departures, add up to 6 new terminal gates and gives John Wayne Airport the flexibility to allocate two additional daily cargo flights to passenger carriers on a temporary basis. (Settlement Agreement)