The Xi'an Xiguan Airfield was built in 1924 under the directives of Zhang Xueliang of the Fengtian Army,and as the Chinese warlord battles raged,Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan sought to subjugate the Nationalist government of GeneralissimoChiang Kai-shek;the Young Marshall however sided with the Nationalists,and the Nationalist Chinese Air Force units began their stationing at Xi'an Xiguan Airfield,specifically the 6th Reconnaissance-Attack/Scout-Attack Group composed of O2U-1 light-attack/scout-bombers in 1929–30,which were deployed in the Central Plains War.[citation needed] During the War of Resistance-World War II,[4] the airport was known as Hsian Airfield and was used by the United States Army Air ForcesFourteenth Air Force as part of the China Defensive Campaign (1942–1945). The Americans used the airport primarily as a photo-reconnaissance airfield,with unarmed P-38 Lightnings,equipped with aerial cameras flew over Japanese-held territory providing intelligence to the Chinese ground forces. In addition,P-61 Black Widow night interceptor aircraft flew from the airport,providing defense against night bombing raids by the Japanese,along with P-47 Thunderbolts day fighters and C-47 Skytrain transports flying in supplies and ammunition to support friendly forces in the area. The Americans closed their facilities at the airport after the end of the war in September 1945.[5][6]
By the 1980s,the airport was too small to handle rapid increase of local and foreign tourists and the terminal grew inadequate and the airport could no longer expand.[citation needed] On September 1,1991,the airport was closed and all the flights and vehicles left at the airport were transferred to the new Xianyang Airport. The site of the airport was then converted into a civil park.[citation needed]
An Ilyushin Il-18 at the tarmac in 1988. At that time,bicycles patrolling the airport apron was still a norm.
Former airlines and destinations
Some Airlines operated in Xi'an Xiguan Airport in the 1970s and 1980s,particularly Chinese airlines,such as CAAC. Before 1991,it was also a hub for China Northwest Airlines.
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