History of SBN

1919

U.S. Army Lieuts. Leigh S. Sellers and George McCabe "barnstorm" the area performing sensational aerial stunts. They also offer the region's first commercial air service.

1929

A German dirigible, the Graf Zeppelin, flies over St. Joseph County on its World Tour. Vincent Bendix, founder of the Bendix Aviation Corporation, purchases 610 acres northwest of South Bend to build an airport.

1933

In a ceremony attended by more than 20,000 spectators, Vincent Bendix christens the airport the "Bendix Municipal Airport."

1941

The airport's administration building has arrivals and departures posted outside.

1949

New terminal with control tower completed at the airport.

1957

A wildly cheering crowd of 3,000 persons welcome home the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team after a 23-21 victory over Army.

1962

Last Bendix Trophy race is won by Capt. John Walton. His average speed is 1,214 miles per hour… 5 times as fast as the first race!

1971

Airport surveillance radar system put in use by air traffic controllers.

1976

Airport hosts M. R. A. Air Show. Navy Blue Angels, Army Huey Helicopters, US Golden Knights and Air Force Thunderbirds are among performers at airport air shows in 1975, 1983, 1984 and 1987.

1981

Dedication of a new multi-modal terminal featuring air and interstate bus service.

1987

Michiana Regional welcomes the International Summer Special Olympics Games. Over 100 Cessna jet aircraft land at the airport in one day bringing participants from all around the country.

1994

A record number of airline passengers, totaling 859,230 are served at Michiana Regional Transportation Center.

2002

To support the future development of aviation and related aeronautical businesses, the airport completes the first phase of a new Master Plan. Thirteen hundred feet of pavement was added to the main runway, bringing it to 8,400 feet; two adjacent taxiways were also lengthened. Future expansion is planned as the airport enters a new century of flight.

2004

SBRA completes a $619,000 parking improvement program, in conjunction with Republic Parking, which manages the operation at SBRA. The improvements include the introduction of valet parking, as well as two new payment options: ticketless and pay-on-foot. In addition, the airport began offering the first 15 minutes free in the short-term lot.

The redesigned website for SBRA includes a host of new features, as well as Real-Time Flight Information, which gives up-to-the-minute changes in flight schedules. Other technology improvements include an update of the flight information system and a new Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) service that allows airport patrons to log on to the Internet for a nominal fee.

One of the largest air freight companies in the world, Airborne/DHL completes a new 50,000-square-foot facility at SBRA to replace an older building.

2006

SBRA's first "Stakeholder of the Year" award is presented to Republic Parking System in recognition of the company's significant parking improvements at the airport over the past two years.

SBRA is a recipient of the Supplier Diversity Economic Empowerment Award from the Minority and Women Business Development Office of St. Joseph County.

President George W. Bush arrives at the South Bend Airport on February 23.

SBRA creates the William T. Schmidt Lifetime Education and Achievement Award to honor individuals in the fire, police and EMS fields. Schmidt was a consultant for SBRA on aircraft rescue and firefighting matters for several years up to his passing in 1994. The inaugural Schmidt Awards for 2005 and 2006 are presented, respectively, to Lt. Keith Schweizer of the South Bend Police Department and Chief Luther Taylor of the South Bend Fire Department.