It was built in 1929[1] by Western Air Express as a stop on the airline's Los Angeles–Kansas City route,[2] with a hangar and passenger terminal added in 1930.

The merger gave TWA control of the nation's first coast-to-coast passenger airline route and allowed it to secure a lucrative federal airmail contract.

The airport was also served by the El Paso–Pueblo, Colorado route operated by Mid Continent Air Express (later Varney Speed Lines and then Continental Airlines).

The unused West Mesa Airport was subsequently used as a nightclub and auto racing venue for a brief period before being leased to Cutter-Carr Flying Service in 1940.

When built, the location on the West Mesa was surrounded by empty desert, though it has mostly been filled in with new development since the airport closed.