Dayton, Illinois: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Dayton, Illinois, does not have an airport. However, there is an airport in Dayton, Ohio, called the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport. It is located 13 miles from the center of Dayton, OH, and is the third busiest and third largest airport in the state. The airport offers a hassle-free, user-friendly experience with a two concourse layout and efficient ground transportation options.

Dayton International Airport's location and transport links

Dayton International Airport is conveniently located at the "Crossroads of America", the intersection of I-70 East/West and I-75 North/South. This makes it easily accessible by car or taxi. The airport offers a variety of parking options, including a covered parking garage, short-term and long-term lots, and an economy lot with a free shuttle to the terminal.

The airport is also well-connected to public transportation. The RTA Route 43 bus service provides access to the airport from the city. Additionally, the airport has partnered with Dayton Express Cab Co. to provide an exclusive taxi service with a minimum fleet of 20 vehicles, including sedans and minivans. This service is available 365 days a year between 7 a.m. and midnight, or 30 minutes past the arrival time of the last flight, whichever is later.

For those seeking a more luxurious option, limousine services are available from several companies, including Beats Feet, Dayton Black Car Service, Dayton Deluxe Limo, and Emerald Limousine Service. These companies offer comfortable and stylish transportation to and from the airport.

Furthermore, ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are permitted to operate at the airport, providing passengers with additional flexibility and convenience. The designated pick-up zone is located at the first crosswalk entrance to the terminal, near the booth.

The airport also offers pre-arranged van and car services, catering to various destinations, including downtown Dayton, hotels, attractions, businesses, personal residences, shopping destinations, and universities. These services can be scheduled in advance and are wheelchair-accessible upon request.

The airport's history

The history of Dayton International Airport (officially James M. Cox Dayton International Airport) can be traced back to the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, who were from Dayton and achieved the first powered flight in 1903. Inspired by this, local businessmen formed "Dayton Airport, Inc." in 1928 and acquired land near the town of Vandalia to build an airport. The airport opened in August 1928 as the "Dayton Airport" and consisted of two hangars, a brick office/machine shop building, a water tower, a small power plant, a gas station, and three runways.

By 1932, interest in the airport had waned, and it faced financial difficulties due to the Great Depression. The City of Dayton leased the airport in 1934 and, after a community fundraising effort, purchased it for $65,000 in 1936. It was then renamed the "Dayton Municipal Airport." This airport featured three 3,600-foot concrete runways and soon after its opening, Trans Continental and Western Airways (later TWA) began service with three daily flights.

During World War II, the U.S. Department of Defense acquired land around the airport for an army training airfield, and it was designated the "Dayton Army Airfield." In 1943, a new parallel concrete runway was installed, bringing the total number of runways to five. After the war, in 1947, the airfield was deeded back to the City of Dayton, becoming the largest commercial airport in Ohio.

In 1952, the airport was renamed the "James M. Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport" in honour of the former Governor of Ohio and Democratic candidate for President of the United States, James M. Cox. A new terminal building was constructed and opened in 1961, with TWA beginning jet service from the airport in 1960. The airport received its current name, "James M. Cox Dayton International Airport," in 1975.

The airport continued to expand and develop over the following decades, with new construction projects, renovations, and the addition of new airlines and destinations. In the 1980s, it became a unified parcel of real estate when it was officially annexed into the City of Dayton. The airport has faced some setbacks, such as the loss of its hub status with the merger of Piedmont Airlines and US Airways in the early 1990s, and fluctuations in passenger traffic and aircraft departures. However, it remains a significant airport in Ohio, with an estimated $1 billion economic impact on the regional economy.

Airlines and destinations

Dayton International Airport is serviced by several major carriers, including Allegiant, American, Delta, and United. The airport offers a range of non-stop flights to various destinations within the United States. Some of the non-stop flight destinations from Dayton International Airport include:

• Punta Gorda, Florida (PGD)
• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
• Tampa-St. Pete, Florida (PIE)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Additionally, the airport provides convenient transportation options, such as car rental companies like Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, and National, as well as taxi and limousine services.

When searching for flights from Dayton to Illinois, KAYAK offers a variety of options, including:

• Nonstop flights with American Airlines
• Flights to Chicago, Moline, and St. Louis in Illinois
• Last-minute and one-way flight deals to various destinations in Illinois

Facilities and amenities

Dayton International Airport, also known as James M. Cox Dayton International Airport, is located 10 miles north of downtown Dayton, in Montgomery County, Ohio. The airport is conveniently situated at the “Crossroads of America”, the intersection of I-70 East/West and I-75 North/South, making it easily accessible by car or taxi.

The airport boasts a range of facilities and amenities to ensure a comfortable and efficient travel experience for its passengers. Here is an overview:

Parking Options:

Dayton International Airport offers various parking options to suit different needs, including:

• Economy Lot: With over 2,000 spaces, this lot offers a great price and a free DAYrider shuttle to the terminal.
• Long Term Lot: Located behind the garage, it's just a short walk to the terminal and offers convenient parking for extended periods.
• Short Term Park and Walk Lot: Positioned next to the terminal, ideal for brief visits and quick access, with a competitive daily rate.
• Covered Garage: A reserved parking area with direct access to the terminal is available for a higher daily rate.

Transportation Services:

The airport provides a variety of ground transportation options to and from the airport, including taxi services, rental car companies, limousine services, and public transportation.

Terminal Facilities:

The recently renovated terminal at Dayton International Airport features a user-friendly layout with essential services on one level. This includes flight counter check-ins, visitor information, a military welcome centre, TSA, and baggage carousels within a convenient sightline. The terminal also houses a variety of dining and shopping options.

Dining Options:

The airport offers several dining choices to satisfy different tastes and preferences, including:

• Max & Erma’s
• The Great American Bagel & Bakery
• Dunkin'
• MVP Bar and Grill
• 12th Fairway Bar and Grill

Shopping:

For travellers looking to shop, the airport has a variety of options, including:

• Market @ Day
• Wright Stop Travelmart
• Dayton Marketplace

Other Amenities:

The airport also provides additional amenities for a seamless travel experience, such as Fuel Rod charging stations and a Cash to Card machine for paying checked luggage fees at airline ticket counters.

With its range of facilities and amenities, Dayton International Airport aims to make travel easy and enjoyable for its passengers, showcasing the birthplace of aviation's legacy.

Accidents and incidents

Dayton International Airport has been the site of several accidents and incidents over the years. Here is a detailed summary:

TWA Flight 553 Collision

On March 9, 1967, a mid-air collision occurred over Urbana, Ohio, involving a TWA Flight 553 jet airliner and a Beechcraft Baron. Visual flight rules were in effect, but the high rate of descent of the TWA DC-9 and uncontrolled VFR traffic around Dayton contributed to the accident. Unfortunately, all 25 passengers and crew on the DC-9 and the sole occupant of the Beechcraft were killed. This tragedy led the Federal Aviation Administration to create Terminal Control Areas for better coordination and safety.

Bradley Air Services Crash

On January 12, 1989, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 operated by Bradley Air Services crashed approximately 1.2 miles north of the airport. The aircraft was bound for Montréal-Dorval International Airport but collided with trees due to improper instrument flight rule procedures by the first officer. Sadly, both occupants of the plane were killed.

McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Damage Incident

On April 8, 1992, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft was damaged during pushback at Dayton International Airport. The incident occurred when the left side nose wheel was damaged due to a two-bar failure, which also damaged the tire rim. The probable cause was attributed to inadvertent tire overinflation by a mechanic, and the absence of low-pressure regulators during work hours was cited as a contributing factor.

Piper PA-34 Seneca Wheels-Up Landing

On September 13, 2006, a Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft experienced a wheels-up landing at Dayton International Airport. The probable cause of this incident was determined to be the pilot's inadvertent failure to lower the landing gear.

Vectren Dayton Air Show Accident

On July 28, 2007, an aircraft performing a loop over the airport at the Vectren Dayton Air Show crashed while attempting to finish the maneuver. Sadly, the pilot, Jim LeRoy, was killed in the accident. The probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude during the aerobatic maneuver.

Northern Air Cargo Boeing 737-300 Damage

On March 30, 2011, a Northern Air Cargo Boeing 737-300 departing from Dayton International Airport sustained substantial damage due to an unsecured pallet jack in the cargo hold. The pallet jack struck the fuselage, fracturing a structural frame. The probable cause was an inadequate preflight inspection by the flight crew, who failed to notice the unsecured object.

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche Crash

On June 20, 2013, a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Dayton. The pilot reported finding a small amount of water in the right main fuel tank during preflight checks but none in the other tanks. After starting the engine, the right engine stopped, and although the pilot restarted it, the aircraft drifted to the right during the takeoff roll. The pilot was unable to correct the drift, and the plane crashed before reaching the intended taxiway. The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined as post-accident examinations revealed no anomalies.

Vectren Dayton Air Show Wing Walker Crash

On June 22, 2013, a tragic accident occurred at the Vectren Dayton Air Show involving a Boeing-Stearman Model 75 stunt plane carrying wing walker Jane Wicker. The plane crashed, killing both Wicker and the pilot, Charlie Schwenker. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot's controlled flight into terrain, with a contributing factor being a modified airshow maneuver that placed the aircraft at a low altitude and speed, resulting in insufficient time to recover.

Cessna 201 Landing Gear Incident

On May 29, 2014, a Cessna 201 aircraft with one crew member on board landed with the landing gear retracted. Fortunately, the pilot was not hurt, and the incident was attributed to pilot error.

Allegiant Air Douglas DC-9 Engine Fire

On March 19, 2017, an Allegiant Air Douglas DC-9 aircraft experienced an engine fire during its approach into Dayton International Airport. The aircraft landed safely, and the probable cause of the fire was determined to be an uncontained generator failure.

United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16D Incident

On June 23, 2017, the day before an air show, a United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16D jet was taxiing to a staging area when it was flipped onto its top by a gust of wind. Both the pilot and a crew member were trapped in the aircraft for two hours but sustained only minor injuries. The Thunderbirds were forced to cancel their scheduled performances for the air show.

Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 Runway Incident

On October 5, 2022, an Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 operating for United Express slid off the runway while landing at Dayton International Airport. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in this incident.

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