A Short History of the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport

The Niagara Central Airport began its life in 1940 during the early years of the Second World War, and assisted with the training of R.C.A.F. pilots.

The buildings at the time were considered to be "temporary". For many years after the war, the "Welland Airport" trained private pilots and became a home to recreational and commercial fliers and flight training. In 1976, The Welland - Port Colborne Airport Act set the airport in a new direction.

Years later, in 2001, Royal Assent was received which changed the name of the airport to The Niagara Central Airport, and established the current configuration of the Airport Commission.

The runways at the airport follow the classic British triangular layout. Runway 11 - 29 was closed in 1986 due to deterioration of the surface. In 2018, 11 - 29 was rehabilitated as a turf runway by COPA 149 volunteers who raised the necessary funding through voluntary donations. See the Archives page for pictures of this ambitious project.