Jazmin Li
Fort Wayne International Airport is a public airport that serves Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. The airport is located eight miles southwest of Fort Wayne and has one terminal that handles all domestic flights. It is owned by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority and was built in 1941 with an investment of $10 million. The airport's main runway is large enough to accommodate the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and military aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Runway length | 11,981 feet (3,652 m) |
| Runway width | 150 feet (46 m) |
| Runway surface | Grooved asphalt and concrete |
| Runway capacity | Accommodates NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and military aircraft |
| Airport elevation | 814 feet (248 m) |
| Airport area | 3,351 acres (1,356 ha) per one source; 3,700 acres per another source |
| Passenger traffic | 2,500 passengers daily; 5.44 million passengers in 2013; 359,800 enplanements in 2022 |
| Cargo traffic | 29.69 million pounds in 2013 |
| Number of terminals | 1 |
| Number of runways | 1 |
| Airlines served | Allegiant, Delta, American, United, SkyWest Airlines |
| Top destinations | Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Charlotte |
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What You'll Learn
Runway length and width
The runway of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at the Kennedy Space Center, which was used by Space Shuttles for landing, is 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) long and 300 feet (91 meters) wide. This runway, also known as Runway 15/33, is one of the longest in the world. The runway surface consists of an extremely high-friction concrete strip designed to maximize the braking ability of the Space Shuttle at its high landing speed. The paving thickness at the center of the runway is 16.0 inches (40.6 cm).
The first space shuttle to land at the SLF was Challenger's STS-41-B mission on February 11, 1984. The final landing of a Space Shuttle at the SLF occurred on July 21, 2011, by Atlantis for STS-135.
While the SLF at Kennedy Space Center and the runways at Edwards Air Force Base were the only runways used by the Space Shuttle program, it is possible that other runways could have supported the Space Shuttle landing. According to one source, if a runway can accommodate a Boeing 747, it could likely handle the shuttle. The shuttle's maximum landing weight is in the range of a large airliner, so load is not a problem. The major issue would be the length of the runway, as the shuttle's high landing speed means it needs a lot of room to stop. Therefore, only the longer runways of major airports would be suitable.
The Fort Wayne International Airport's main runway, Runway 5/23, is 11,981 feet (3,652 meters) long and 150 feet (46 meters) wide. This runway is large enough to accommodate the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter.
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Historical use
Fort Wayne International Airport has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. The airport was built in 1941 with an investment of $10 million and served as a military base during World War II. It was originally known as Baer Field, named after Lieutenant Paul Baer, and was later expanded in 1953 to handle increased traffic brought on by the Airline Deregulation Act. The airport was then sold to the city of Fort Wayne for $1 by the Federal government in 1946, and its name was changed to Fort Wayne Municipal Airport. In 1985, the airport was renamed Fort Wayne International Airport by the Airport Authority.
The airport has seen several airlines come and go over the years, including Air Wisconsin, Piedmont Airlines (later US Airways), Republic Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines. Air Wisconsin also had a maintenance base on the west side of the airport in the 1980s and 1990s, handling various aircraft types. The airport experienced a slump in traffic after the September 11 attacks, which was prolonged by a fare war between Southwest Airlines, ATA Airlines, and others at Indianapolis International Airport. However, it bounced back with record passenger numbers in 2016, handling 727,896 passengers and marking seven consecutive years of growth.
Fort Wayne International Airport covers 3,351 acres of land, with its main runway, Runway 5/23, measuring 11,981 feet long and 150 feet wide. This runway is large enough to accommodate various large aircraft, including the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and military air mobility and aerial refueling aircraft. The airport has been designated as a backup for ORD and is equipped to handle international flights, with customs, security, and other necessary infrastructure in place.
The airport has also undergone various improvements and expansions over the years, including the addition of jetways during the modernization in 1981, the rerouting of Ferguson Road and demolition of a hangar in 2018 for more parking, and the construction of a new fixed-base operator (FBO) facility by the Hagerman Group in 2014. The airport authority has also implemented projects under Project Gateway, which includes airport terminal apron improvements, the addition of canopies and solar panels in the rental car area, and the long-awaited terminal expansion.
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Current traffic
Fort Wayne International Airport handles approximately 2,500 passengers daily, with around 50 flights per day. In 2022, the airport recorded 359,800 enplanements, a 7.15% increase from 2021. The airport is categorised as a "nonhub", meaning it handles between 10,000 and 400,000 enplanements annually.
The airport has experienced significant growth in recent years, with 2016 marking seven consecutive years of increased passenger numbers. This trend continued into 2017 and 2018, with the airport achieving ten straight years of record growth by 2019. To accommodate this growth, the airport has undergone several expansion projects, including the demolition of a hangar and rerouting of Ferguson Road in 2018, creating more parking spaces and room for future terminal expansion.
The airport offers a range of transportation options for passengers, including car rentals from companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, with counters located in the baggage claim area. Additionally, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available, with designated pickup areas outside the terminal. Airport shuttle services, such as FWA Shuttle and Star Limousine, also provide transportation to and from the airport, with fares varying based on the destination.
For passengers seeking a more economical option, off-airport parking facilities offer shuttle services to and from the airport, providing a cost-effective alternative for longer trips. Furthermore, the Citilink bus service connects the airport to downtown Fort Wayne, offering affordable fares and convenient transportation.
Fort Wayne International Airport has a single terminal building and serves as a hub for SkyWest Airlines, operating flights on behalf of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. The airport covers 3,351 acres, with its main runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter.
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Shuttle services
Fort Wayne International Airport offers a variety of shuttle services and other ground transportation options for passengers. The airport is located eight miles southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, and is owned and operated by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority.
The airport shuttle services at Fort Wayne International Airport are provided by several companies, including FWA Shuttle and Star Limousine. These shuttle services offer transportation to and from the airport, with the pickup area located outside the terminal near the baggage claim area. It is recommended to book shuttle services in advance to ensure availability, and fares may vary depending on your destination.
In addition to the airport shuttle services, passengers can also utilise ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, which are available at the airport. These services can be requested through their respective mobile applications, and the pickup area is located outside the terminal near the baggage claim. When using ride-sharing services, it is important to be aware of any restrictions on passenger and luggage capacity, as they may vary depending on the type of ride selected.
For those seeking an economical parking option, off-airport parking facilities near Fort Wayne International Airport offer shuttle services to and from the airport. These parking options can provide significant savings, especially for longer trips. The economy lot at the airport also offers a shuttle service running every 15 minutes to the terminal, providing convenient transportation for passengers utilising long-term parking.
Furthermore, Fort Wayne International Airport is served by the Citilink bus service, which connects the airport to downtown Fort Wayne. The Citilink bus stop is conveniently located outside the terminal near the baggage claim, and the fares are affordable and vary based on the destination.
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Space Shuttle requirements
Space shuttles have a set of requirements that must be met for landing at a site. These requirements include a runway that is long enough for the spacecraft to slow down upon return, as well as a runway surface that can handle the high landing speed of the shuttle. The runway surface should be made of high-friction concrete to maximize braking ability, with a paving thickness of around 16 inches (40.6 cm) at the centre. The runway should also have a grooved design to provide drainage and further increase the coefficient of friction.
In addition to the runway requirements, a space shuttle landing site should also have NASA-trained fire and medical crews stationed nearby. The site should be large enough to accommodate the shuttle and have sufficient space for manoeuvring, re-entry, and landing. The landing site should also be located in an area with low air traffic, both commercial and military, to avoid any potential collisions or disruptions.
The Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the prime landing site for space shuttles. It has a single 15,000-foot (4,600-metre) concrete runway designated as Runway 15 or 33, depending on the direction of use. Other landing sites include Edwards Air Force Base in California, which was the site of the first space shuttle landing, and White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, which served as an emergency landing site.
Fort Wayne International Airport in Indiana, United States, has the capacity to accommodate the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter. The airport's main runway, Runway 5/23, is 11,981 feet (3,652 metres) long and 150 feet (46 metres) wide, made of grooved asphalt and concrete. The airport covers 3,351 acres (1,356 hectares) at an elevation of 814 feet (248 metres).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the airport's main runway is large enough to accommodate the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter.
The main runway, Runway 5/23, is 11,981 feet long and 150 feet wide.
The airport's runway can also accommodate the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and military aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender.
Fort Wayne International Airport handles approximately 2,500 passengers daily, with about 50 daily flights. In 2022, the airport had 359,800 passenger enplanements, ranking it 147th out of 539 US airports.
The airport was built in 1941 with a $10 million investment and served as a military base during World War II, originally known as Baer Field. After the war, it was sold to the city of Fort Wayne for $1 and renamed Fort Wayne Municipal Airport in 1946. In 1985, the airport was renamed Fort Wayne International Airport.
