 | Boise Airport (BOI) is a division of the City of Boise Department of Aviation and Public Transportation, and is overseen by a seven member Airport Commission. In June 2003, BOI opened its new terminal expansion. The terminal expansion included two phases.
Phase I consisted of a new elevated roadway system, ticket lobby, baggage claim, food & beverage concessions, news & gifts concessions, and conference center. Phase II included a new security checkpoint, food court, Concourse C, and expanded concessions. While Concourse B is from the original terminal facility, it was renovated in 2005. |
History
Boise's first municipal airport was built in 1926 on a grave bed beside the Boise River where State University is located today.
On April 6, 1926, Varney Airlines flew the first commercial airmail in the U.S. from Pasco to Boise to Elko. Varney later joined others to form United Airlines. United Airlines, which traces its beginnings to Boise, inaugurated jet service to the city on October 26, 1964. It is the only airline to have served Boise continuously since 1933.
A great moment in local air history came on September 4, 1927 when Charles A. Lindbergh landed his "Spirit of St. Louis" in Boise
Boise bought and leased land for the present airport in 1936-38. Its 8,800 foot runway was the nation's longest at that time.
Varney's 1931 steel hangar from the old field was moved to the present one in 1939. When planes got too big for it, it was closed in as part of the terminal building.
The Army Air Corps leased Boise's field and built a major training base for B-17 and B-24 bomber crews. More than 6,000 men were stationed there for most of the war years.
When the war was over Gowen Field was returned to Boise City, then leased to the Idaho National Guard, which still uses it.
By 1952, Boise's little airport consisted of the old Varney hangar, now closed in for a terminal building, and a new air traffic control tower, dedicated on July 13th.
Boise Airport has two parallel runways.
North runway (10L/28R): 10,000 ft. long and 150 ft. wide
South runway (10R/28L): 9,763 ft. long and 150 ft. wide
Minimum Standards & Requirements (pdf)
Boise Airport: A Year in Review - 2003 (pdf)
Interested in an airport tour?
Boise Airport Administration may be reached at 208-383-3110.
Career Opportunities
Airlines, concessions, car rental agencies, etc. hire their own staff. If you are interested in a career in airport police, maintenance, custodial, operations, or administration, please visit City of Boise Human Resources or call 208-384-3850.