GIAA Milestones

Airport Milestones

Through The Years

GIAA was created as a government entity by public law - P.L. 13-57. The airport was handled as a division of the Department of Commerce until January 1976 when the Airport Authority took over terminal operations and the former Commuter Terminal, which is now a leased facility.

GIAA has since built two terminal buildings. The first one was funded by $43M in revenue bonds and was completed in 1982. The second and current terminal is the end product of a $241M expansion and construction project that was completed in September 1998, making it Guam’s largest single capital improvement project. GIAA is now working on the 3rd largest terminal expansion project of Guam Airport's history: a $97M construction of a 3rd floor.

Now in our 41st year, GIAA takes you through a timeline of significant events in our development.

• 1976 Guam Airport Authority (GAA) takes over operations of the air terminal from the Department of Commerce.
• 1977 The Airport Expansion and Improvement Project plan is first drafted identifying key issues for growth and development of airport facilities and services.
• 1978
  Groundbreaking and site preparation of the new Guam International Air Terminal begins. $3.25M GAA Special Facility Fueling System Revenue Bonds issued with full guarantee by Lockheed Corporation with Wells Fargo Bank
• 1979 $43M bond to build new terminal facility.
• 1980 Airline operations create an economic impact of $25.3M. With $5.87M going to wages, employee benefits and for goods and services purchased locally.
• 1981
  Continental Air Micronesia adds flights to Japan. Northwest Airlines begins regularly scheduled services.
• 1982 The new $43M Guam International Air Terminal (GIAT) is dedicated on January 19.
• 1983 All Nippon Airways (ANA) begins charter flights to Guam.
• 1984 Continental Air Micronesia introduces service to Hong Kong.
• 1985 A 5-year capital improvement program is approved by the Board of Directors for the construction of the Airport Access Road, concourse extension project, extension of the departure lounge, apron parking extension and a parallel taxiway.
• 1986
  ANA begins regular international air service to Guam. Construction begins on the $2M Airport Industrial Park and GAA breaks ground for the Airport Access Road project. US Congress passes the Omnibus Territories Act (visa waiver).
• 1987 GIAT attains $10.1M in revenues with operating costs of $7.7M.
• 1988
  Guam passes the “One Million Passenger” mark with passengers processing through the Guam International Air Terminal (GIAT). The Airport Access Road opens on June 10th. The Guam International Air Terminal is renamed to the “Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal” in honor of Guam’s first elected Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
• 1989 The Guam International Air Terminal Master Plan is updated in February.
• 1990 Korea is added to the Guam Only Visa Waiver program. Thru Continental Air Micronesia services to Seoul and Sendai and Sapporo in Japan begin.
• 1991
  The Commuter Terminal becomes operational in August. Three new loading bridges and parking aprons are added to the terminal at a cost of $6.2M.
• 1992 Governor Ada signs Public Law 21-135 in September 1992 allowing the Guam Airport Authority to sell $300M bonds for the expansion of the air terminal.
• 1993
  Guam Airport Authority sells $242M in bonds in New York City for the airport expansion project.
• 1994
  A total of 2,149,511 movements for arrivals and departures. GIAA joins "Komitea Para Tiyan", organizing the transition of Naval Air Station from federal to local government control.
• 1995
  GIAA obtains an Airport Operating Certificate from the FAA. On April 1st, GIAA becomes Guam’s only commercial airport, fully operational by civilian air traffic controllers and GIAA Operations Officers.
• 1996

  The first phase of the terminal expansion project is completed on September 10th.

  The completed phase features an expanded terminal space of 550,000 sq. ft. from an original 220,000 sq. ft.

• 1997 For the first time, GIAA conducts a full-scale disaster simulation to fulfill requirements of Federal Air Regulation (FAR) Part 139.
• 1998

  In August, the second phase of the Terminal Expansion Project is opened for operation

  Air Force One arrives on GIAA's tarmac transporting the Honorable President of the United States, William "Bill" Clinton

• 1999

  Guam is ranked 4th Top U.S. Gateway to/from Asia and Australia by the Phillips North American Directory.

  Significant developments in air service includes China Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Japan Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Asiana Airlines.

• 2000

  On September 1, 417 acres of former US Naval properties is officially transferred to the Guam International Airport.

  Arrivals increased by 36%, departures ins creased 37%, cargo increased 5%, aircraft landing and takeoff increased 11%, and aircraft gross take off weight increased 74%.

• 2001

  Aerospace Concepts Inc. Corporate Business Center becomes a fixed based operator at GIAA facilities.

  A Flight Kitchen facility is conceptualized.

  An Express Package Facility is designed.

  Internet kiosks and a cellular phone rental concession are operational.

• 2002 New and increased airline services include: Korean Airlines resumes Seoul-Guam route, Philippine Airlines resumes air service to Manila, Asiana Airlines adds new Pusan-Guam route, All Nippon Airways inaugurates direct flights from Narita to Guam, and JAL adds two more flights a week to Narita.
• 2003

  The refunding of $211M General Revenue Bonds provides a gross savings of nearly $20M over the next twenty years, allowing the Airport to decrease per passenger fees assessed to airlines by 29.4%.

  GIAA Board of Directors approves signatory status for Korean Air

• 2004

  In May, the Authority hosts the 14th Annual Airports Council International - Pacific (ACI-Pacific) Regional Assembly & Conference.

  GIAA launches the pilot phase of the Residential Sound Insulation Program.

  Guam welcomes world-renowned artist "Wyland", painting his 91st original mural in the Airport's Terminal as part of his Whaling Wall series.

• 2005

  Airport's K-9 unit joins the prestigious Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP).

  DHL Worldwide Express opens its new $1.2M Express Package Facility.

  Continental Micronesia receives a $3.5M upgrade and retrofit for efficient and safe operations.

• 2006

  The US Department of Transportation grants a 2-year term for foreign carriers with DOT authority, giving Guam new opportunity to develop cargo and passenger activity.

  Japan Airlines celebrates its 35th Anniversary of serving the Guam market, transporting over 1 million Japanese to Guam annually.

• 2007

  In August, the People's Republic of China is allowed to designate an unlimited number of airlines to operate the agreed services to Guam and Saipan.

  The total economic contribution of Guam's Airport per year is computed to be $1.7 billion, according to an Economic Contribution Report by Jacobs Consultancy, Inc.

  Representing a total payroll of $628M, Airport operations was reported to generate 20,440 jobs

  Triple B Forwarders breaks ground at its new facility site on Block 1 in Tiyan, an investment estimated at $2.5M multi-modal facility measuring 22,000 sq. ft.

  Introduced new technology - the Automated Passport Control kiosks.

  Increased foreign speaking, passenger assistance, via the Airport Ambassador Program.

  Over 2,400 school children toured the airport.

  Renewed its Sister Airport relationship with Sendai Airport in Miyagi prefecture, Japan.

  Management becomes a Board Member of Pacific Air Travel Association, Aviation Committee and a Board member of the Airports Council International Asia Pacific Region.

• 2008 Significant Development of Airport Properties transpire with the $1.5M MSA Logistics Groundbreaking, $2.5M Triple B Freight Forwarders (Guam) Inc. Groundbreaking, $23.8M Integrated Air Cargo Facility (PacAir Properties LLC) Groundbreaking, and $4M CTSI Groundbreaking projects.
• 2009

  Project launch of the Sounds Solutions (Noise Mitigation Program) in May, a multi-year FAA program and paid for by AIP grants.

  Project launch of the Demolition of Former Naval Housing Phase II in November.

  Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines merge in December.

• 2010 Air Service expands with Continental Airlines, Jin Airlines, Japan Airlines, Skymark Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air, Freedom Air, and Delta Air Lines.
• 2011

  All Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines both retire their B747 aircraft servicing Guam.

  Continual investments in Airport facilities are in various stages of completion.

• 2012

  Guam welcomes Russian Tourists visa free for 45 days under the Guam/CNMI Visa Waiver Program.

  FEDEX opens its office at the Integrated Air Cargo Building in Tiyan.

  Jeju Air commences daily operations from Seoul to Guam

• 2013

  The Airport issues and closes $247M in General Revenue bonds.

  Japan Airlines commences cadet pilot training on the B737-800 and the B767-300 at the Guam International Airport.

• 2014

  Jin Air upgauges its capacity servicing the Seoul/Guam route.

  United Airlines resumes the Seoul/Guam flight after suspension of the route serviced by then Continental Airlines in 2001.

  United Airlines introduces twice weekly services Shanghai/Guam, making this first scheduled operation to mainland China from Guam.

  Philippine Airlines increases its flights from 5x to 7x weekly to Manila.

  Lotte Duty Free celebrates its 1-year in operation.

  15 recruits successfully complete the 1st Cycle and are installed as firefighters with the Airport's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Division.

• 2015

  Guam's Primary Extended Runway 6L/24R becomes fully operational with the FAA.

  The extension of ($70M invested) RW 6L/24R from 10,000 linear feet to 12,000 linear feet completed.

• 2016

  Two new Airlines provide direct service to Guam: Cebu Pacific and HK Express.

  Guam Airport Japan Airlines Pilot Training Program continues for its B737-800 equipment.

  Placed 9th Top Airport for International Arrivals nationwide and processed 1.7M passenger enplanements.

  Launch of $97M 3rd Floor Corridor project

  New $900k Passenger Loading Bridge, $30M baggage screening relocation, $2.2M in Restroom repairs and refurbishments and family comfort rooms and lactation rooms available throughout the Terminal.

  $600k investment in passenger processing technology and $2.2M Refreshed Exterior Terminal painting project.