Airport Group International LLC history

The airlines had International Air Transport Association (IATA), which formed in 1945.

Originally envisioned as a ring of city airports, the 'London Airport--Heath Row' was planned during the war and opened in 1946.

In January 1948, 19 United States commercial airports gathered in New York City to form the Airports Operators Council to address and solve mutual problems facing airports in the United States Airport challenges 70 years ago were surprisingly similar to those of today.

Major reconstruction completed in 1956, however, helped Gatwick develop into a popular international flight destination.

The building of the airport started on September 2, 1958, seven and a half months after the site selection.

The first commercial flight, Eastern Airlines flight 580, arrived at GSP on October 15, 1962 at 7:33 a.m.

In 1965, the British government passed the Airports Authority Bill, which created a single statutory body to own and oversee operations of the country's airports while remaining answerable to Parliament.

The name change to the Airport Operators Council International (AOCI) was effective May 1966.

6, 1970, the Airport Associations Coordinating Council (AACC) was formally established.

In 1971, the ICAO extended an invitation to AACC to officially represent the coordinated views of AOCI, WEAA and ICAA at ICAO meetings of interest to international airports.

Dulles served 2.5 million passengers in 1975, compared with 11.7 million at the more established National Airport.

The first expansion was completed in November 1977 with the widening of the jet parking ramp.

Plans to purchase more land and add a second runway to Gatwick stalled in 1979, when the British Airports Authority agreed with the West Sussex County Council that it would not pursue expansion for 40 years.

Midfield Concourses C and D, five cargo buildings, a hotel located on airport property, and economy parking lots were also added through the 1980's.

Upon completion of I-66 through Arlington, Virginia, in early 1983, Dulles Airport Access Highway was extended the last 2.5 miles to connect directly with I-66.

In 1985, a compromise was reached under which Stansted would undergo development in phases monitored by Parliament.

1986: Airports Act paves the way for the formation of BAA plc, a public holding company for airports.

With nearly two and a half million applications, the stock was oversubscribed ten times and the flotation--on July 16, 1987--was a resounding success.

Until 1990, Prestwick was the only Scottish airport allowed to accommodate transatlantic flights.

The construction also added a new International Arrivals Building in 1991, improved flight and baggage information display systems, new roadways and overpasses, new aircraft gates and aprons for additional aircraft parking, taxiway and runway improvements.

In 1992 the company won a contract from the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport to develop and operate that airport's shops and restaurants.

In fact, in 1993, American Airlines withdrew its services from Stansted, and the airport reported heavy losses.

In the face of such protests, BAA withdrew the proposal in May 1994.

In 1996 the company acquired Allders International, the international duty- and tax-free business of Allders plc, for about £130 million.

BAA added to its duty-free holdings in 1997 with the acquisition of Duty Free International, based in the United States.

In 1998, completion of the first permanent concourse (Concourse B) was completed with 442,000 square feet to serve 20 aircraft positions.

During fiscal 1999 alone the company spent £512 million to improve and expand current facilities.