Editing Mercedita International Airport (section)

==History==
===Early history===
Built in 1939, Mercedita was originally a modest [[aerodrome]] used for the airborne irrigation of sugarcane fields belonging to [[Destilería Serrallés]].<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/> The airport took the name of the sugarcane plantation that it was part of, [[Hacienda Mercedita]]. The founder of the plantation, [[Juan Serrallés]], had named his plantation in honor of his wife Mercedes.<ref>[http://www.destileriaserralles.com/history.swf ''History.''] Destilería Serrallés. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 6 March 2013.</ref> To commemorate this, a portrait of Mrs. Mercedes Serrallés was unveiled in the airport on 30 December 1992 by then-governor of Puerto Rico [[Rafael Hernandez Colon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=95042&year=1992&month=12&keyword=mercedita |title=''No le Hace (el Parentesco), Segun el Gobernador'' |language=es |publisher=El Nuevo Dia |date=31 December 1992 |access-date=5 May 2010}} {{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The takeoff/landing strip was then only {{convert|850|ft|m}} long by {{convert|50|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/> During World War II it was turned into a military airport, and in 1947 the [[U.S. Navy]] ceded the airport to the [[Puerto Rico Ports Authority]].<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/> The airport officially started operations in April 1948.<ref>[http://www.airnav.com/airport/TJPS AirNav: Mercedita Airport. Information current as of 11 February 2010.] Retrieved 4 March 2010.</ref>

In 1949, however, it was determined that the [[runway]] of what was then the Ponce Airport at the nearby [[Losey Army Airfield|Losey Field]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/PR/Airfields_PR_W.htm |title=Losey Army Airfield |publisher=[[Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields]] |access-date=4 March 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526061909/http://www.airfields-freeman.com/PR/Airfields_PR_W.html |archive-date=26 May 2010}}</ref> (today, [[Fort Allen (Puerto Rico)|Fort Allen]],<ref>Cristobal Colon. ''"A mis amigos de la Universidad Catolica"'' (in Spanish). Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas Inc. 1993. Page 71.</ref> [[Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico]]) no longer met the newer and more stringent minimum airport safety requirements, and airport operations were suspended. As a result, studies were initiated for the construction of a new airport at Mercedita Airfield.<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/> A wall plaque inside the airport states the airport was built with funds from both the Government of Puerto Rico and the Government of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce and that it was inaugurated in November 1955. It was officially inaugurated on 6 November 1955, via a day-long program of ceremonies and activities transmitted live via radio, and filmed for subsequent TV broadcasting. During the ceremonies, the project's engineer, Raul Gayá Benejám, made delivery of the new facilities to Salvador V. Caro, executive director of the [[Puerto Rico Ports Authority]].<ref>''Inauguracion del Aeropuerto Mercedita en Ponce: Programa.'' Program booklet. 4pp. Accessed 19 November 2020.</ref>

[[File:USAAF 32d Pursuit Squadron aircraft at Ponce Airfield, Puerto Rico, 1941.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The US Air Force 32nd Fighter Squadron at Mercedita Airport during World War II]]

The first scheduled commercial flights at Mercedita occurred in 1965 when domestic flights started.  International flights started in 1971.<ref>[http://www.periodicolaperla.com/poncenos-pediran-control-del-aeropuerto ''Ponceños pedirán control de Aeropuerto''] (in Spanish). La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.</ref> Meanwhile, [[Prinair|Aerolineas de Ponce]] began services from Mercedita in 1966; the airline had a hub at the airport but soon had most of its flight operating from San Juan instead and changed its name to [[Prinair]].

On 12 August 1981, an [[Air Florida]] plane with 125 [[Haiti]]an refugees aboard landed at Mercedita en route to the [[Fort Allen, Puerto Rico|Fort Allen]] facility in [[Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico|Juana Diaz]], part of the [[Boat people|1981 Haitian refugees exodus]].<ref>[https://www.periodicolaperla.com/exodo-prision-y-libertad-fuerte-allen-a-29-anos-de-un-calvario-con-rostro-haitiano/ ''Fuerte Allen: calvario con rostro haitiano''] Carmen Cila Rodríguez. "El Sur en la Historia." La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 12 October 2011. Page 18. Retrieved 12 October 2011.</ref>

===New airport===
The airport has been enlarged on various occasions. One of the architects credited with the airport's construction is Raúl Gayá Benejam.<ref>[http://archiredpr.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/archivo-arquitectura-y-construccion-upr-aacupur.doc ''Archivo y Centro de Investigacion Institucion Academica.''] Archivo de Arquitectura y Construccion de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 13 July 2012.</ref> In 1962, Trade Winds started daily direct service to [[St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.]]<ref>Carmelo Rosario Natal. ''Ponce En Su Historia Moderna: 1945-2002.''  Published by Secretaría de Cultura y Turismo of the Government of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 2003. p. 43.</ref> One major construction project, in particular, took place in 1963 when the runway was extended from {{convert|3000|ft|m}} to 3,900 feet.<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/> In 1967, a master plan was adopted for the systematic development of the airport. In 1971 the runway was again extended, to {{convert|5000|ft|m}} to allow for the use by [[Boeing 727]] aircraft. In 1987 the runway was once again extended, this time to {{convert|6900|ft|m}}. The passenger terminal was also remodeled, a [[wikt:platform|platform]] was built for use by [[general aviation]] as was a new building for the [[Fuerzas Unidas de Rapida Accion|Air Rescue Unit]] of the [[Puerto Rico Police Department|Puerto Rico Police]].<ref name="prpa.gobierno.pr"/>

===1990s expansion work===
In the fall of 1992, the runway was extended to make it possible for [[American Airlines]] to run flights to Miami, Florida. The cost of the expansion was $3 million. The expansion provided {{convert|1900|ft|m}} additional length, as well as {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} additional width.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=87437&year=1992&month=10&keyword=mercedita |title=''Abre sus puertas el Ponce Hilton'' |language=es |publisher=El Nuevo Dia |date=24 October 1992 |access-date=5 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302125240/https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=87437&year=1992&month=10&keyword=mercedita |archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> Also in the fall of 1992, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority spent another $6 million in improvements to the terminal building. These included an additional {{convert|14500|sqft|m2}} space in the baggage claim, immigration, customs, passenger waiting areas, vending areas, and [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]] installations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=83556&year=1992&month=9&keyword=mercedita |title=''Mejoras en el aeropuerto de Ponce por $6 millones'' |language=es |publisher=El Nuevo Dia |date=21 September 1992 |access-date=5 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302125407/https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?num=83556&year=1992&month=9&keyword=mercedita |archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>

The airport was formerly called '''Mercedita Airport''', but on 1 November 1990<ref>[http://rafaelhernandezcolon.org/MENSAJESTOMOS/1990_II/DOC031910%20Fri%20Mar%2019%202010%2011-30-03.265.pdf ''Mensaje del Gobernador del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico Hon. Rafael Hernandez Colon con motivo de la inauguración de la expansion del Aeropuerto Internacional Mercedita y el recibimiento de los primeros vuelos de las aerolíneas Eastern y Carnival, 1 de Noviembre de 1990. Ponce, Puerto Rico.''] Fundación Biblioteca Rafael Hernandez Colon. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 1 November 1990. Accessed 17 January 2020.</ref> it was inaugurated as "Mercedita International Airport" after addition of customs<ref>[https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=PSE ''PSE (TJPS).''] U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Aeronautical Information Services. Accessed 16 January 2020.</ref> and border control<ref>[https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/ponce-puerto-rico-4908 ''Ponce, Puerto Rico - 4908.''] US Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed 16 January 2020.</ref> facilities.

===2000s-2010===
[[File:Torre de control del Aeropuerto Internacional Mercedita, Bo. Vayas, Ponce, PR, visto desde la PR-5506, mirando al este (DSC02387B).jpg|thumb|left|250px|Airport's control tower looking east]]
After Ponce's mayor [[Rafael Cordero (mayor)|Rafael Cordero]] signed a contract to build a [[Port of the Americas (Port of Ponce)|major seaport]] in the area, Mercedita's directors decided to expand the airport's runway to {{convert|8000|ft|abbr=on|0}} to accommodate anticipated growth in airline traffic.

On 17 June 2005, [[JetBlue]] began daily, non-stop service between [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York and Mercedita Airport. On 17 November 2005, [[Continental Airlines]] also commenced non-stop service between [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] and Ponce.<ref>[http://www.americanshipper.com/Main/News/Continental_to_start_daily_nonstop_NewarkPuerto_Ri_20018.aspx?taxonomy= ''Continental to start daily non-stop Newark/Puerto Rico service.''] American Shipper/Howard Publications, Inc. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20151016213351/http://www.americanshipper.com/Main/News/Continental_to_start_daily_nonstop_NewarkPuerto_Ri_20018.aspx?taxonomy= Archived] on 2015-10-16, 21:33:51 at the [[Wayback Machine]].</ref> This service ended on 17 January 2008. On 3 June 2006, [[Delta Connection]] began servicing the airport, with twice-weekly, regional jet service to [[Atlanta]], Georgia. The service ended on 20 January 2007. [[JetBlue]] has also added daily, non-stop service between Ponce and [[Orlando International Airport]].

During 2007, more passengers passed through the airport than the population of the entire city of Ponce itself. "Ponce's Mercedita airport served 251,000 passengers in 2007, an increase of 28% over the previous year."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.letsgotoponce.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=178 |title=Ponce's Mercedita Airport 1,000 feet Expansion Gets Permission to Set Flight |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423093906/http://www.letsgotoponce.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=178 |archive-date=23 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Passenger movement at the airport in [[fiscal year|FY]] 2008 was 278,911, a 1,228% increase over fiscal year 2003 and the highest of all the regional airports for that 5-year period.<ref>[http://www.businessregisterpr.com/search?transportation=true ''Air Transportation.''] businessregisterpr.com. 1 September 2009. Accessed 15 November 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090901161424/http://www.businessregisterpr.com/search?transportation=true ''Archived''] on 2009-09-01, 16:14:24 at the [[Wayback Machine]].</ref> In February 2009, Ponce mayor [[María Meléndez]] sought transfer of the airport from the Puerto Rico central government to the Ponce Municipal government amidst discontent with the bureaucracy at the central government that could be avoided if the airport was locally managed.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.elnuevodia.com/Xstatic/endi/template/imprimir.aspx?id=536714&t=3 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120729130442/http://www.elnuevodia.com/Xstatic/endi/template/imprimir.aspx?id=536714&t=3 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 29 July 2012 | title = ''Buscan municipalizar aeropuerto de Ponce'' | language = es | publisher = El Nuevo Dia | location = San Juan, Puerto Rico | date = 23 February 2009 | access-date = 10 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wapa.tv/noticias/locales/busca-munipalizar-aeropuerto-mercedita_20090223125942.html | title = ''Busca munipalizar aeropuerto Mercedita'' | language = es | publisher = WAPA-TV | location = San Juan, Puerto Rico | date = 23 February 2009 | access-date = 10 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="Archived">[http://www.senadopr.us/Proyectos%20del%20Senado/ps0405-09.pdf ''Proyecto del Senado 405: LEY, Para transferir la jurisdicción del Aeropuerto Internacional Merceditas de Ponce, de la Autoridad de Puertos del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico al Municipio Autónomo de Ponce.''] Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. Senado de Puerto Rico. 16ta Asamblea 1ra Sesión. Legislativa Ordinaria. 20 February 2009. Accessed 26 March 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160103024041/http://senado.pr.gov/Proyectos%20del%20Senado/ps0405-09.pdf ''Archived''] on 2016-01-03, 02:40:41, by the [[Wayback Machine]].</ref>

In early 2010, members of the Ponce Chamber of Commerce strongly criticized the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and its director Alvaro Pilar Villagran after failure to execute on a legally binding agreement of November 2008, whereby the Ports Authority agreed to an investment of $8 million to build an airport drainage system needed as part of any additional expansion work.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110715065528/http://www.periodicolaperla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=425 ''Archived''] on 2011-07-15, 06:55:28, by the [[Wayback Machine]] from the [http://www.periodicolaperla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=425 ''Original.''] Jason Rodríguez Grafal. ''Revés para Aeropuerto Mercedita: Crece malestar por posposición de expansión.'' Ponce, Puerto Rico: La Perla del Sur. January 2010 (section: ''Noticias Locales''). Retrieved 1 November 2010.</ref>

In 2010, the [[Puerto Rico Ports Authority]] announced an investment of $7 million to extend Mercedita's runway to {{convert|8000|ft|m}}. Construction began in February 2011.<ref>Jason Rodríguez Grafal. [http://www.periodicolaperla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1206:prometen-para-verano-obras-en-el-aeropuerto-mercedita&catid=81:locales&Itemid=198 ''Con inversión de $7 millones: Luz Verde a la expansión del Aeropuerto''] (in Spanish). Ponce, Puerto Rico: La Perla del Sur (newspaper). 14 April 2010 (section: ''Noticias Locales''). Retrieved 16 April 2010.</ref> In 2012 the Authority installed two boarding bridges among other terminal improvements.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.primerahora.com/siguenlaslaboresenelaeropuertomercedita-642243.html | title = ''Siguen las labores en el aeropuerto Mercedita'' | language = es | work = Primera Hora | date = 3 May 2012}}</ref>