Napa County Airport

The entry of the US into WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbour brought about the need for an airbase in Napa. As such, the Napa Auxiliary Air Defense Field was built in 1942 (it was initially called the Napa Flight Strip but was later expanded and renamed) and was a base for the Fourth Air Force Hamilton Army Airfield, where it was used to train replacement fighter pilots before deployment overseas. After the war, the War Assets Administration deeded the airport to Napa County, and it soon became a business hub. Within two years, the airport featured a hangar, administration building, and a shop, while five FBOs vied for business - although only Bridgeford Flying Services remained after 1947, and it remains in operation today (they changed their name in 2012 to Napa Jet Center). Commuter air service began in 1952, with Southwest Airlines flying to San Francisco. However, the burning down of the administration building that same year ended the service, and although a new terminal was constructed, computer services never resumed. In 1963, a new taxiway and apron were constructed, and a new air control tower was built in 1964. A facility for pilot training was built in 1971 by Japan Air Lines and the International Air Services Company (IASCO), which brought about growth to the airport with the construction of new hangars and training facilities (the Japan Air Lines training facility closed in 2010 as the company filed for bankruptcy, whereas the IASCO moved its training base in 2012). In 2008 the air control tower received the radio, electrical, and plumbing upgrades (it later sustained minor damage during the 2014 South Napa earthquake). In 2014 the International Airline Training Academy (IATA) signed a five-year agreement to lease space in the airport to train pilots. However, by 2017, they were no longer operating from the airport. Runways 18R/L and 36R/L were repaved and renumbered in 2019 and are now 19R/L and 1R/L, respectively.

The airport is five miles south of Napa. 

• Jonesy's restaurant opened at the airport in 1946 and remained in operation until 2010, becoming a favorite amongst regulars. 
• There are numerous corporate jets now based in Napa, and there is a waiting list for hangar space. 
• Nearby events such as the Napa Valley Wine Auction and races at the Infineon Raceway have brought much traffic to the airport.