From Chickens To Bold Innovators -- San Jose Airport Turns 70

SAN JOSE, CA -- What do you give an airport that has it all for its 70th birthday?

The airport authority for the Mineta San Jose International Airport wants to give the pioneering aviation center its due recognition with a shout out.

The hub for Silicon Valley travel has come a long way since its Feb. 1, 1949, inaugural dedication as the San Jose Municipal Airport and managing its first commercial flight by Southwest Airways (now Delta Air Lines) that involved 2,550 baby chickens, two pilots and seven passengers. Only the chickens got off at San Jose, while the human passengers continued on to their final destination.

Today, San Jose's prized airport celebrates seven decades of connecting San Jose and the South Bay to the world. The airport has transformed just the same way the Valley it serves has -- with unprecedented growth. In 2018, the airport marked a record by serving 14.3 million passengers with nonstop service to more than 50 domestic and international destinations on three continents.

"It's been a remarkable 70-year journey from SJC’s beginning as a commercial service municipal airport to its transformation as an international airport serving Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the world," Assistant Director of Aviation Judy Ross said. "SJC's seven decades of success is due to innovative leaders, starting with the first airport manager, Jim Nissen, (who was) hired in 1946 to oversee building the new airport when San Jose was an agricultural community, to current Director of Aviation John Aitken, who is leading the airport team and partners in serving our tech and tourism community who need seamless transportation to the world."

To commemorate this anniversary, SJC has released a video featuring images of aviation pioneers and SJC's milestones from over the seven decades that SJC has served the South Bay community's changing travel needs and contributed to its economic development. The video is now live on the airport’s YouTube Channel and on its blog, SJC Buzz.

While much has changed at the airport and the San Francisco Bay Area over the past 70 years, one constant remains. The airport authority touts the notable collaboration of its partners. As far as changes, stakeholders can expect more modern facilities, along with more flights to more destinations.

Mineta San Jose International Airport handles 450 peak daily departures and arrivals on 14 international and domestic carriers to more than 50 nonstop destinations. SJC is the No. 2 Bay Area airport for passengers served. In the last three years, the aviation center also holds the distinction of being one of America’s fastest‐growing, major airports based on increases in passenger seat capacity.

To learn more about SJC's 70 years of service and support to the community, visit flysanjose.com/sjc_timeline. For more airport information in general, visit FlySanJose.com.

--Image via Sue Wood, Patch