December 1946: Tampa goes international
Long awaited hopes finally realized
National is awarded direct route to Havana
In May 1946, the Civil Aeronautics Board reorganized and greatly expanded U.S. airline routes into Latin America. One of those new routes was awarded to National Airlines — direct New York-Tampa–Havana service.
Two milestones are celebrated
On December 15, 1946, Tampa celebrated two milestones at once. National’s direct passenger service between Tampa and Havana, and the dedication of former Drew Field as Tampa International Airport.
It was a remarkable transformation for an airport that only months earlier had been a major Army installation.
Drew Field had begun decades earlier as little more than a cow pasture used by local aviators. During World War II it mushroomed into a $20 million military complex covering some 15 square miles. Thousands of airmen passed through the base, including bomber crews and more than 64,000 officers and enlisted men who received radar training there.
With the war over, Drew began a second life. Tampa and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority took over the field on March 1, 1946, and in April Eastern and National Airlines transferred their operations there from Peter O. Knight Airport. Customs, Immigration and Public Health facilities were established, preparing Drew to handle international passengers.
Long-sought direct connection to international networks realized
For Tampa, international air service had been a long-held ambition. Pan American Airways had briefly operated direct Tampa-Havana flights in 1934–35, but the service was discontinued when passenger demand proved insufficient. Now, in the booming postwar era, Tampa was ready to try again — this time with a modern airport capable of handling the large four-engine airliners transforming commercial aviation.
National’s new route linked New York, Tampa and Havana, using its 46-passenger, four-engine DC-4 “Buccaneers.” Havana was now only an hour and 45 minutes from Tampa, and travelers no longer had to go through Miami to make a quick trip to Cuba.
Milestones are celebrated in high style
Mayor Curtis Hixon proclaimed December 15 “International Airport Day,” and hundreds of spectators gathered at Drew Field. American, Cuban and Florida flags decorated the platform. Aurora Alvarez, Queen of Tampa’s Latin American Fiesta, and members of her court, dressed in colorful costumes, welcomed arriving passengers and bid farewell to those departing for Havana and New York. Cigars were presented to the men and corsages to the women.
The first National Buccaneer arrived from Havana at 11:45 a.m. before continuing to New York. Another arrived from New York and departed Tampa for Havana at 2 p.m. , with none other than National’s very own president, George T. Baker, sitting in the pilot’s seat. Passengers used Drew’s new International House for Customs inspection for the first time.
A Tampa delegation headed by Mayor Hixon boarded the inaugural Havana-bound flight carrying a bronze plaque to be presented to Havana’s mayor. Inscribed in Spanish, it commemorated the new air link between cities already “closely united by parental and historical bonds” and declared the plaque a permanent symbol of their friendship.