MIDLAND-ODESSA REGIONAL AIRPORT




The MAF curbfront in the 1960s, showing the distinctive 'modern' roofline and passenger canopy.

Midland-Odessa Regional Airport (MAF) opened its new passenger terminal in the early 1960s. At the time, MAF was served by Continental and Trans-Texas, both of whom operated popular point-to-point services linking West Texas towns.

The terminal was identified by its scalloped roofline, which allowed a column-free interior. All services - ticketing, baggage claim and concessions, were located inside the building, and a single departure lounge opened up onto the apron. Continental and Trans-Texas both introduced DC9 jet flights in the late 1960s.


A postcard showing the airside and restaurant of the MAF terminal in the early 1960s. A Continental Viscount is parked on the apron. Four upper-level gates were constructed over the apron area in the late 1970s.

This layout served the airport well until the late 1970s 'oil boom' hit Midland-Odessa. Rapid economic growth in the two cities led to a dramatic increase in flights, by both the incumbent airlines and new-entrant carriers like Southwest Airlines. After airline deregulation in 1978, American and Delta began flights, followed by start-up America West a few years later.

To cope with the rising demand, a new gate area was constructed along the apron. Included in the plan were four second-level gates equipped with jetbridges, concession space, and escalator wells linking the addition to the existing terminal. The south end of the main terminal was extended to include more ticketing space, and the original terminal was modernized (the scalloped roofline was removed).


An aerial view of MAF in the early 1990s shows the new terminal addition built circa 1980, as well as the new second-level gates.

By the 1990s, several of the new-entrant carriers had pulled out and most of the remaining airlines had downgraded to regional jets. Only Southwest, the airport's largest carrier, operated mainline jet flights.

The terminal building, however, had begun to look tired, and airport officials began planning for a more modern replacement. Construction began on the facility (which would be located in the infield parking lot) in 1966. The first half of the new terminal was opened in early 1999, at which point the 1966 terminal was closed and demolished. The second half of the new terminal was finished in late 1999.


A satellite view of MAF in 1994.

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