Scholes International Airport at Galveston

What does an airport, a wrong-way flight, and a burn center have in common? You might be surprised to learn they are all connected right here at Scholes International Airport at Galveston. This unassuming airport, situated just three miles southwest of downtown Galveston, boasts a rich history, intriguing past, and unique role in the present. Scholes International Airport at Galveston, or GLS as it’s known in aviation circles, hasn’t always been about helicopters and corporate jets. The airport, established in 1931, originally served as Galveston Municipal Airport. For a brief period, it even bore the name “Corrigan Airport” in honor of a quirky Galveston native, Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan. This daring aviator earned his nickname after allegedly flying his plane from New York to Ireland, claiming a compass error led him across the Atlantic instead of his intended destination, Los Angeles. During World War II, Scholes International Airport at Galveston took on a more serious role. The U.S. Army Air Corps transformed it into “Galveston Army Air Field,” a training ground for bomber crews and fighter pilots. Imagine the skies filled with the roar of Douglas A-20 Havocs and Lockheed Venturas, their silhouettes stark against the Texas sun as they practiced maneuvers over the Gulf of Mexico. Today, Scholes International Airport at Galveston serves as a vital hub for the offshore oil and gas industry. Watch as helicopters from companies like Bristow and PHI buzz in and out, transporting workers and supplies to rigs miles offshore. But the airport’s connection to life-saving missions doesn’t end there. Scholes International Airport at Galveston is also the preferred landing site for air ambulances transporting patients to the renowned Shriner’s Burn Hospital for Children. So, the next time you see a helicopter touch down at GLS, remember, it’s more than just commuting, it could be hope taking flight.