When people hear “Watsonville Airport,” it often brings to mind moments of resilience and pride—whether it was serving as a crucial lifeline after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, playing a key emergency role during the 2020 CZU fires, or even welcoming a presidential visit not too long ago.
For many, it’s also a favorite weekend stop along Aviation Way, home to some of our city’s most beloved local eateries.
But beyond the runways and familiar landmarks, the Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) is fast becoming a hub of opportunity—especially for our youth and families. Most people may not realize that our airport is leading the way in engaging the next generation, not only with aviation but with education, careers, and community connection.
Thanks to innovative partnerships and bold leadership, the Watsonville Airport is helping young people see a future for themselves in the skies—and right here at home.
A prime example is the launch of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s new aviation pathway, part of its Career Technical Education (CTE) program. This hands-on curriculum is designed to give high school students real-world skills in aircraft maintenance, aeronautical engineering, and flight systems.
In fact, students will be assembling an actual, functioning airplane—right inside a Watsonville hangar. It’s an ambitious, exciting endeavor made possible through collaboration with local pilots, educators, and aerospace professionals.
This isn’t just about building a plane—it’s about building confidence, careers, and a clearer path forward for our students. As PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras put it, “Our students will graduate not only with job-ready skills but also with the confidence that they can design, build, and operate advanced technology.”
That’s the kind of vision our youth deserve. The momentum doesn’t stop there. Our airport’s annual “Day at the Airport” program has introduced more than 1,800 fourth-grade students to aviation since it launched in 2022. These field trips give our youngest learners a behind-the-scenes look at airport life—from watching planes take off to meeting real pilots and learning about flight instruction.
These are the kinds of experiences that light a spark and broaden horizons. And every summer, this spirit of connection and curiosity comes alive at the Airport Open House. What began in 2017 as a local celebration has grown into a signature community tradition. This year’s event on August 30th will include aircraft demonstrations, music, food, and a family-friendly Kidz Zone—all capped off with a thrilling pyrotechnics display to close out Labor Day weekend.
As City Manager Tamara Vides noted, “This free community gathering is more than a celebration—it’s a way for residents, students, and visitors to feel connected to their local airport and to one another.”
These initiatives reflect something we know to be true in Watsonville: when we invest in young people and make space for families to connect, we all soar higher. The Watsonville Municipal Airport is showing us how infrastructure, education, and community can come together to create lasting impact.
Whether you’re attending the Open House for the first time, learning to fly, or just stopping by for breakfast on Aviation Way, I invite you to see our airport not just as a place where planes take off—but as a place where futures do, too. Let’s keep lifting each other up.
