ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay’s airport and its first airline are celebrating a 95-year partnership that’s made a positive impact on the area’s overall economy.
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) and Delta Air Lines marked the anniversary Friday.
The long-standing relationship began even before the GRB received its airport code.
According to airport director, Marty Piette, GRB started out as Blesch Field as Green Bay’s first airfield in the early 1920s.
On Dec. 15, 1928, Delta’s subsidiary, Northwest Airlines flew its inaugural flight into GRB. On that day, the pilot flew a Waco 125 open-air aircraft that carried just two passengers and one pilot.
According to Delta, the Waco planes initially flew between Chicago and Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and between Milwaukee and Green Bay. When winter storms covered runways with snow, Northwest outfitted its Wacos with skis.
Over the years, the relationship between GRB and Delta grew and Delta currently operates daily nonstop service to Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis.
“Economically, of course, every region really, truly needs to have a vibrant airport to get people to the market. Right now, we’re able to fly almost to anywhere in the world and that’s because of this partnership and we truly appreciate it. We know what the trickle down effect means to our overall economy and most importantly, the whole region,” said Brown County executive, Troy Streckenbach.
GRB is Wisconsin’s third largest airport.
