The United States government's pioneering of a national airmail system begun in 1918, provided essential subsidies for America's fledgling airline industry.

New paved runways, the huge heated Hangar #2 and other ongoing improvements to Baer Field finally attracted a commercial airmail carrier to Fort Wayne in December 1930.

Transamerican, Capitol Airways, and Trans Continental and Western (TWA) followed with passenger service to Fort Wayne during the early 1930s.

In 1933, the Commerce Department's Aeronautics Branch and the Civil Works Administration (CWA) began a nationwide program of airport development.

During this period, the airport enjoyed $311,058.42 in improvements paid for by the CWA, the Federal Emergency Relief Agency, the WPA, and the Allen County Scrip Organization.

Famed pilot and explorer Wiley Post also visited the field in the Lockheed Vega "Winnie Mae", which he flew around the world.

The new Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND) program eventually funded construction at 535 airports during World War II.