Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport’s roots reach back nearly a century, beginning with early airfields in both Rocky Mount and Wilson. The first of these was the Rocky Mount “Eagle” Airport, established in 1933 and later known as Rocky Mount Municipal Airport, which primarily served crop dusters and private aircraft. Wilson operated its own industrial airport just a few miles away. As aviation needs expanded and federal guidelines limited the number of nearby licensed airports, state and local leaders recognized the opportunity to consolidate services and better support regional growth.

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That collaboration led to the creation of Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport, which opened in 1970 at its current location between the two cities. Designed to serve the broader region, the airport became a shared asset for surrounding communities and a gateway for business, industry, and general aviation in Eastern North Carolina. Over time, while commercial airline service declined, the airport evolved into a vital hub for corporate, cargo, medical, and general aviation, continuing its long-standing role in supporting regional connectivity and economic development.