Airport Info

In the early 1950s, a Joint York Airport Authority was created due to the growing interest in providing the region with a municipal airport capable of handling the largest commercial and military jet aircraft. A federal grant was obtained, and construction was set to start on the project in the small town of Admire, just a few miles north of Oscar Hostetter's grass strip, the present location of the York Airport. Mr. Hostetter was not pleased with the thought of having another airport in such proximity to his. In response, he paved his existing runway at no expense to the taxpayers and filed a lawsuit against the Airport Authority. Eventually, enthusiasm for the large airport faded, and the Airport Authority disbanded in 1960. Mr. Hostetter's 4,200-foot paved runway became the York Airport. With the increasing popularity of drag racing in the 60s and 70s, the airport became a part-time drag strip on the weekends. Mr. Hostetter sold the facility to York US 30 Drag O Way in the late 1960s. The airport was leased to York Aero, Inc. and home to a Piper Aircraft dealership. The property was sold to York Building Products in 1975 and returned to a full-time airport in October 1979 when the drag races ended.

Since then, numerous improvements to the airfield have been completed. The runway has been extended 1,000 feet and grooved, and a new parallel taxiway has been installed. A new midfield hangar and ramp area has been constructed to accommodate up to 40 additional aircraft. The runway lighting and instrument approaches have been updated. Most recently, a wildlife perimeter fence has been installed, and the main apron has been reconstructed.