Bridgeport, Connecticut: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

The closest airport to Bridgeport, Connecticut is the New Haven Airport (HVN), which is 16.8 miles away. However, there are several other airports nearby, including the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR), located in Stratford, 3 miles southeast of downtown Bridgeport. This airport is owned by the city of Bridgeport and provides non-commercial flights. Other nearby airports include White Plains (HPN), New York La Guardia (LGA), New York JFK (JFK), and Newark (EWR).

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport

The airport was originally known as Avon Field, a racetrack where aircraft landed on the grass infield. It was the site of the country's first air show, held in 1911. In 1937, it was purchased by the City of Bridgeport and renamed Bridgeport Municipal Airport. In 1972, it was rededicated as the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, honouring its most famous tenant, aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, who established the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation in Stratford in 1929.

The airport covers 800 acres (324 ha) and has been the subject of debate between Bridgeport and Stratford regarding expansion plans. Bridgeport has pushed for runway and terminal expansion to attract new airline services, while Stratford has opposed these plans due to concerns over noise and interference with existing roads.

In the past, the airport was served by major carriers such as American Airlines, Allegheny Airlines, and several regional affiliates. Today, it continues to serve general aviation and has an average of 136 aircraft operations per day.

Bridgeport's closest airport

Bridgeport, Connecticut, is served by several airports, with the closest being New Haven Airport (HVN), which is 16.8 miles away. However, there are better options for getting to Bridgeport, such as the Metro-North Railroad, which operates a train from Grand Central Terminal to Bridgeport every 30 minutes.

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (IATA: BDR, ICAO: KBDR, FAA LID: BDR) is a public airport in Fairfield County, Connecticut, owned by the City of Bridgeport. It is located 3 miles southeast of downtown Bridgeport, in the town of Stratford. The airport was originally known as Avon Field, a racetrack where aircraft landed on the grass infield. It was the site of the country's first air show, held in 1911. The airport was purchased by the City of Bridgeport in 1937 and became known as Bridgeport Municipal Airport. In 1972, it was renamed to honour Igor Sikorsky, whose Sikorsky Aviation Corporation was based in Stratford.

Other Nearby Airports

Other airports near Bridgeport include White Plains (HPN), 28 miles away; New York La Guardia (LGA), 45.5 miles away; New York JFK (JFK), 48.5 miles away; and Newark (EWR), 62.1 miles away.

Airports for domestic flights to Bridgeport

Bridgeport in Connecticut has a few airport options for domestic flights. The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) is a public airport in Fairfield County, owned by the City of Bridgeport. It is a non-commercial airport, 3 miles southeast of downtown Bridgeport, in Stratford.

The airport has a rich history, previously known as Avon Field, and was the site of the country's first air show in 1911. It was renamed in 1933 after Captain Jim Mollison crash-landed there, and again in 1972 to honour Igor Sikorsky, whose Sikorsky Aviation Corporation was based there.

In the past, the airport has been served by major carriers, including American Airlines, Allegheny Airlines, Business Express Airlines, Continental Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, US Air, and United Express. Currently, it is primarily used for general aviation, with some air taxi and military operations.

Another option for domestic flights is Westchester County Airport (HPN), 33 miles from Bridgeport, which offers domestic flights from White Plains, New York.

Other nearby airports include:

• Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) - 24 miles away
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - 52 miles away
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 60 miles away
• Bradley International Airport (BDL) - 69 miles away
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 76 miles away

Bridgeport's airport history

The history of Bridgeport's airport goes back further than many people realize. The airport has had several different names during its long history. Today, it is known as the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, but before that, it was the Bridgeport-Sikorsky Airport, and before that, the Bridgeport Municipal Airport.

The airport was originally known as Avon Field, a racetrack where aircraft landed on the grass infield. It was the site of the country's first air show, held in 1911, on the grounds of what is now St. Michaels Cemetery. It became known as Mollison Field after Captain Jim Mollison's crash landing there in 1933 during an attempt to fly across the Atlantic from Wales, England to New York. The City of Bridgeport purchased the airport in 1937, after which it became the Bridgeport Municipal Airport.

During the 1930s, many now-famous aviators visited the airport. Names such as Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes, and Juan Trippe can be found in the airport logbooks documenting their arrivals.

In 1929, Igor Sikorsky, who had immigrated to the US from the Russian Empire in 1917, picked Stratford, CT as the site for his expanding Sikorsky Aviation Company. That year, Sikorsky Aviation Corporation became a subsidiary of United Aircraft & Transport Corp. Ten years later, UA&T Corp. moved its Chance Vought Aircraft Division to Stratford and merged it with the Sikorsky Aircraft Division to become the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division. This new division was responsible for the production of the first helicopter, the VS-300, which first flew on September 14, 1939.

In 1972, the airport was rededicated as the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, honoring its most famous tenant, Igor Sikorsky.

In the 1950s, American Airlines served the airport, with one Convair a day; American left in 1960. Allegheny Airlines then provided service until 1976. In the 1980s, the airport was served by five carriers or their regional affiliates: Business Express Airlines, Continental Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, US Air, and United Express. In 1992, airlines flew from Bridgeport to several cities in the northeast, including Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and Newark.

Airport services

Bridgeport, Connecticut, is served by the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, formerly known as the Bridgeport Municipal Airport. The airport is located in the town of Stratford, three miles (6 km) southeast of downtown Bridgeport. It is owned by the City of Bridgeport and provides a range of services as a non-commercial flight airport.

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport is categorized as a general aviation facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It has three fixed-base operators (FBOs) and several private hangars. The airport also has two asphalt runways: 11/29, which is 4,761 by 150 feet (1,451 x 46 m), and 06/24, which is 4,677 by 100 feet (1,426 x 30 m).

In addition to aviation services, the airport offers a variety of amenities for visitors and pilots. These include:

• Private aviation companies
• Restaurants
• Flight schools
• Fixed-based operators
• General aviation fees/storage
• Noise abatement program
• Operations and safety management

The airport is also home to the Stratford Eagles Composite Squadron, a member group of the Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol, which performs duties such as pilot training, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

The City of Bridgeport aims to maximize the airport's economic and public service value to the region while providing a safe and secure aviation facility for general and corporate aviation.

Frequently asked questions