Airports In Delaware: What You Need To Know

Delaware is a US state with a range of public and private airports. From 1993 to 2023, there were several periods where Delaware was the only US state without any scheduled commercial airline flights. The state's main airport is Wilmington Airport, also known as New Castle Airport, which offers commercial flights, although passenger numbers are low compared to other US airports. There are 11 public airports in Delaware and 38 private, with the former operating 24 hours a day.

Delaware's airports

There are 11 public airports and 38 or 39 private airports in the U.S. state of Delaware. From 2008 to 2013, Delaware was the only U.S. state with no airports offering commercial service (defined as 2,500+ boardings per year).

Wilmington Airport (also known as New Castle Airport, New Castle County Airport, Wilmington-New Castle Airport, Wilmington/Philadelphia Regional Airport, and Greater Wilmington Airport) is the only airport in Delaware with commercial flights. However, even this airport sees far fewer passengers than other U.S. airports. The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) at an elevation of 80 feet (24 m). It has three asphalt runways: 9/27 is 7,275 by 150 feet (2,217 x 46 m); 1/19 is 7,012 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m); and 14/32 is 4,602 by 150 feet (1,403 x 46 m).

The other airports in Delaware include Delaware Airpark, Chandler Estates Airport, Chorman Airport, Henderson Aviation Airport, Delaware Coastal Airport, Laurel Airport, Middletown Airport, Smyrna Airport, and Jenkins Airport.

Commercial service

Delaware has 11 public airports and 38 private airports, but it is not served by any major airports with scheduled commercial flights. From 2008 to 2013, Delaware was the only US state without any airports in the FAA category of commercial service (2,500+ boardings per year).

Wilmington Airport, also known as New Castle Airport, is the only larger airport in Delaware with commercial flights. However, passenger numbers are relatively low compared to other US airports. The airport is located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington, Delaware. It is owned by New Castle County and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The airport is about five miles (8 km) south of Wilmington and 30 miles (50 km) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Wilmington Airport has three asphalt runways: 9/27 is 7,275 by 150 feet (2,217 x 46 m); 1/19 is 7,012 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m); and 14/32 is 4,602 by 150 feet (1,403 x 46 m). The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) at an elevation of 80 feet (24 m).

In 2013, scheduled commercial airline passenger service became available at Wilmington Airport, but it ended in 2015. Commercial service to the airport resumed in 2021 but ended again in 2022. It resumed once more in 2023, with Avelo Airlines announcing it would be opening a new base at the airport.

Military airports

There are 11 public airports and 38 private airports in Delaware. The state has no major airports with scheduled commercial flights, though Wilmington Airport, also known as New Castle Airport, is the only larger airport with commercial flights.

Delaware has several military airports, including:

• Dover Air Force Base/Civil Air Terminal at Dover AFB
• Delaware Air National Guard Base, located at Wilmington Airport
• Delaware Coastal Airport

The Delaware Air National Guard Base, located at Wilmington Airport, is used by President Joe Biden when he travels to and from Washington, D.C. The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) of land and has three asphalt runways. In the year ending December 22, 2022, the airport recorded an average of 126 aircraft operations per day, of which 12% were military-related.

Private airports

Delaware has 38 or 39 private airports, depending on the source. These airports are not capable of serving bigger aircraft. The state has no large airports with scheduled commercial flights. Wilmington Airport, also known as New Castle Airport, is the only larger airport with commercial flights, but passenger numbers are low compared to other US airports.

Delaware Airpark, a public airport in conjunction with Delaware State University, offers flight training programs. The airport has hangar facilities and private aviation facilities for parking and servicing aircraft.

Other private airports in Delaware include Chandler Estates Airport in Dover, Chorman Airport in Farmington, Henderson Aviation Airport in Felton, and Jenkins Airport in Wyoming.

Former airports

Delaware has 11 public airports and 38 private airports. However, it has no major airports with scheduled commercial flights. Rehoboth Airport is one notable former airport in the state, having closed in 1987.

The state's airports are mainly general aviation airports, with Wilmington Airport being the only larger airport with commercial flights. However, even at this airport, passenger numbers are relatively low compared to other US airports.

The Wilmington Airport, formerly known as New Castle Airport, is located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington, Delaware. It is owned by New Castle County and operated under a lease agreement with the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The airport is approximately five miles (8 km) south of Wilmington and about 30 miles (50 km) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) at an elevation of 80 feet (24 m). It has three asphalt runways: 9/27 is 7,275 by 150 feet (2,217 x 46 m); 1/19 is 7,012 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m); and 14/32 is 4,602 by 150 feet (1,403 x 46 m). The airport first opened before World War II and was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces during the war, becoming the New Castle Army Air Base. After the war, control of the airport was returned to civil authorities, and it has since been leased by various airlines, including Trans World Airlines (TWA), Eastern Airlines, Allegheny Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Avelo Airlines.

Frequently asked questions