ALLENTOWN/BETHLEHEM/EASTON AIRPORT




Looking across the apron towards the ABE terminal in the 1950s.

The cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton opened a new terminal at their joint airport at some point in the late 1930s or early 1940s. The building was similar to many other new facilities opened during this time period (see Little Rock and Knoxville) - a three-level block structure with a single boarding gate, topped by a control tower.

After World War II, ABE was served by four airlines - Capital, Eastern, All-American (which became Allegheny in 1949) and Mohawk. To cope with rising passenger levels in the 1950s, the terminal's ground floor was extended, adding more ticket counter and airline office space as well as a new baggage claim area.


The new terminal addition is visible in this early 1960s view of the old ABE.

United took over Capital's ABE station in 1961 when the two airlines merged; a few years later, all four airlines introdcued short-haul jet service on routes to and from ABE. A new passenger holdroom was constructed in front of the terminal to handle the increased numbers. With only three aircraft parking positions, however, the terminal was starting to show signs of strain. Planning began for a replacement facility on a site adjacent to the existing terminal.


The jet age has arrived at ABE in this card from the late 1960s - United and Eastern 727s and an Allegheny DC9 are parked on the apron.

ABE's ultramodern new terminal was completed in 1976 and all scheduled operations were transferred to the new facility. The old terminal is still standing, although I'm not sure what its current role is.


The new Allentown terminal is flanked by the old facility in these postcard from the late 1970s.
Courtesy of Jim Kruggel


A satellite view from 2001 shows the facility is still standing.

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