July 17, 1947
REGULAR AIRLINE SERVICE connecting McMinnville and six other Oregon cities with Portland and communities throughout western Washington was inaugurated today with the first flight by West Coast Airlines. Flying south from Portland and north from Medford, ships will stop regularly here and at Albany-Corvallis, Eugene and North Bend-Coos Bay. This picture was taken Saturday during the welcoming celebration from a North Pacific Air Service plane piloted by Ed Hill. At top are seven Air National Guard
panes from Portland. On the ramp is a WCA airliner. An estimated 3000 people thronged the airport Saturday to join the celebration. In Oregon, additional service to Grants Pass and Roseburg awaits
completion of airport facilities.