Greater Rochester International Airport

ROC originated in 1914 as Baker Field, and the US military used it during WWI. In 1918, military use of the airfield ceased, and Baker Field continued to be used as an airfield for a couple of years. However, flood conditions made it unsuitable in the long run, and a new location needed to be found for an airfield in Rochester. As such, Britton Field, located west of Baker Field, became Rochester's primary airport. Use of Britton field for aviation purposes again as early as 1919, and the Rochester Aircraft Corporation launched its first passenger flight on August 18th of that year. The aircraft was piloted by Earl F Beers, a Rochester aviation pioneer, who urged the local government to purchase the field in order to create a municipal airport. During its first year, Britton Field hosted several races, including the United States Flying Circus and another race between the Rochester Aero Club and the Syracuse Aero Club. In December 1919, the Rochester City Council authorized the purchase of the field for use as a "municipal aviation station." During its first years of operation, the field was used for various purposes, including a demonstration of parachuting, and use by the Eastman Kodak Company and the US Army as a landing field for testing Kodak's aerial photography. In 1926 the Colonial Air Transport Company, which had preceded American Airlines, included Rochester in its plans as a stop for its daytime flights from Boston to Chicago. Furthermore, plans were made for night flights as soon as lighted fields became available. The following year, Charles Lindbergh landed in Britton Field as part of his US tour. The first hangar at the ROC was constructed in 1927, and the first passenger flights between Rochester in New York City began that year. The following year, further improvements were made to the airport, including the runways, drainage system, and the completion of a second hangar. Furthermore, the airport's name was changed to Rochester Municipal Airport. ROC saw real growth following WWII, which included more flights, more passengers, and the creation of a flight training school. On January 1st, 1948, the ROC was taken over by Monroe County, which immediately set about making improvements, including a 5,000-foot runway and the extension of the other runway to 5000 feet, as well as creating administration facilities. The terminal building was completed in 1953 and expanded substantially in 1963. Furthermore, it was once again expanded in both 1978 and 1980. Whereas the terminal building originally had only one floor, the 1980 expansion added a second floor for administrative purposes, and then, the airport was renamed Rochester Monroe County Airport. Following the 1963 expansion, the airport terminal had 10 Gates, and it was served by American Airlines, Mohawk Airlines, and United Airlines. In 1965, jet service at ROC began via American Airlines Boeing 727s. However, the two runways at Roc were insufficient to handle jets, which led to the building of Runway 4/22 in 1967. Although it was initially built at 7,000 feet long, it was extended in 1969 to 8,002 feet, thereby meeting the threshold required for CAT III classification. The introduction of jets led to the need for jetways, and American Airlines introduced the first in 1977. The 1978 expansion brought about new lounge space that was built for Allegheny Airlines, previously Mohawk Airlines (and later USAir), with three new jetways, and in 1980 two new lounge areas were built for United, with each featuring a jetway. In 1987, Piedmont Airlines, which had taken over one of the United lounge areas, added a second jetway. In 1985 People Express Airlines arrived at ROC, and their low fares dramatically affected the airport's traffic, with enplanements increasing by 38% in the first year. Although there was no space in the terminal for People, a shed was built on their behalf. People Express Airline was taken over by Continental Airlines in 1987, and they were able to move operations into the main terminal, and the shed was thereby removed. Furthermore, the mid-1980s saw successful legislation to change the airport's name to Greater Rochester International Airport. Another addition to ROC was brought about by the New York Air National Guard, which constructed a small hangar, office facility, and apron space. By the mid-1980s, it had become clear at the terminal building the insufficient to meet future growth. As such, in 1988, Monroe County approved a $109 million plan to create a new terminal. Constructed between 1989 and 1992, the new terminal was a two-level facility with a parking garage. The baggage claim and ground transportation were on the first floor, and ticketing and departures were on the second. Furthermore, the Monroe County Airport Authority was created at this time to issue bonds. The new terminal has two concourses and 11 gates. Whereas the eastern concourse opened in the summer of 1990, the western concourse and parking garage opened in 1992. The security checkpoints at Roc were consolidated in 2006, creating one central checkpoint. However, the new arrangement meant that airfield views would no longer be available to non-passengers, which brought about the construction of a new viewing area at the west end of the terminal. Furthermore, in 2008 renovations to replace floors, carpets, and seating in the concourses were undertaken. Moreover, the T-shaped baggage claim carousels were replaced by four 360-degree walk-around carousels. In 2010 an extension of the parking garage was completed as well. In 2013 Southwest acquired AirTran and replaced its service at ROC. The following year, the New York State Police established a base for its aviation unit at the airport. That same year Allegiant Air began to serve ROC. In 2016 ROC commenced a $79 million project to create a high-tech smart facility that would both serve business needs and reduce barriers for passengers with disabilities. Moreover, the security checkpoint was enlarged, the food court was renovated in revamped, and bathrooms and interior lighting were overhauled throughout the terminal. Additionally, a cell phone lot with flight display information and an electric vehicle charging station was completed in 2018, as well as a canopy built over the departures-level roadway, intended to reduce winter maintenance costs and allow for rainwater storage capabilities. An online petition began circulating in July 2020 to rename ROC in honor of Frederick Douglas, who had lived in Rochester for much of his life and is buried in a local cemetery. On August 12th, 2020, it was confirmed that the airport would be renamed in his honor.

The airport is located three miles southwest of Downtown Rochester. 

• Geraldine Grey, the first woman in Western New York to receive a pilot's license, trained in Britton Field in 1928. 
• Britton Field was used as a backdrop for the silent movie Fly Low Jack and The Game in the summer of 1927. The film was written, directed, produced, and acted by members of the Rochester Community Players, an amateur theater company. 
• The FBOs at ROC are USAirports Flight Support and AVFLIGHT Rochester Corporation. Furthermore, there are two flight schools at ROC, Rochester Air Center and OnCore Aviation.