Need for adequate facilities is pressing concern

In 1927, aviation fever swept across America. Charles Lindbergh’s daring solo flight across the Atlantic in May, followed by Army lieutenants Maitland and Hegenberger’s nonstop journey from California to Hawaii in June, proved that transoceanic air travel was no longer a dream—it was a reality. Cities nationwide raced to establish permanent airports, eager to stake their claim in the future of commercial aviation.

Tampa struggles with need for better infrastructure

Tampa was no exception. Though it had a municipal airport, the facility was rudimentary and costly—$250 a month in lease fees made it impractical for long-term development. Civic leaders knew Tampa needed something better.

Solution emerges at Drew Field

A cartoon published in the Tampa Times on October 31, 1927 captures the urgency of the moment. Just days later, in early November, the city commission approved the lease of Drew Field, approximately 240 acres of land offered to the city by pioneer developer John H. Drew at an annual rental of $500. Work began immediately to clear the land and establish Tampa’s new municipal airport.

Military expansion and postwar transition

As global tensions rose in the lead-up to World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps began negotiating for Drew Field’s use in 1939. By 1940, the City of Tampa had leased the site to the federal government for 25 years. During the war, the Army Air Forces dramatically expanded and modernized the facility.

After the war, Drew Field was returned to the city—and its role in Tampa’s aviation story shifted dramatically. Peter O. Knight Airport, which had become city’s primary municipal airfield in the intervening years, was too small to accommodate the new generation of prop-liners like the Douglas DC-4, DC-6, and Lockheed Constellation. Eastern and National Airlines moved operations to Drew Field, and in 1952, it was officially renamed Tampa International Airport.

Innovation and growth create modern hub

The airport continued to evolve, with major expansions and innovations. In 1971, Tampa International unveiled its current terminal—featuring the world’s first airport people mover system. As the present time, a new 16-gate Airside D Terminal is currently under construction, slated to open in 2028.

At left: Tampa Times, October 31, 1927