Duluth, Minnesota: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Duluth, Minnesota is served by the Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH, ICAO: KDLH, FAA LID: DLH), a city-owned public-use joint civil-military airport located five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of the central business district. The airport offers nonstop service to 3 destinations and thousands of connections, allowing travellers to reach virtually any destination worldwide.

Airlines that fly out of Duluth International Airport

Duluth, Minnesota, is served by the Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH, ICAO: KDLH, FAA LID: DLH), a city-owned public-use joint civil-military airport located five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of the central business district. The airport is Minnesota's third busiest, behind Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport and Rochester International Airport.

Duluth International Airport offers nonstop service to three destinations with daily flights on three airlines: Delta, United, and Sun Country.

Delta Air Lines offers daily non-stop flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

United Express offers daily non-stop flights to Chicago O'Hare. This route is served multiple times daily, and American Airlines previously served this route until April 2020.

Sun Country Airlines offers non-stop flights to Fort Myers, operating on Mondays and Fridays.

The airport's history

Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH, ICAO: KDLH, FAA LID: DLH) is a city-owned public-use joint civil-military airport located five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of the central business district of Duluth, Minnesota. It is the third-busiest airport in Minnesota, serving the Twin Ports area, including Superior, Wisconsin. The airport is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by three airlines: Delta, United, and Sun Country.

The history of the airport dates back to 1929 when the City of Duluth purchased the original property from Saint Louis County. The airport was constructed on 640 acres (2.6 km2) of land with two 2,650-foot (810 m) sod runways. In 1930, the airfield was dedicated as Williamson–Johnson Municipal Airport.

In 1940, Northwest Airlines began the first regularly scheduled air service to Duluth, but operations were temporarily halted due to World War II. During the war, in 1942, three runways were paved. Each of these runways was 4,000 feet (1,200 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide, with nearly equal angles from each other. They were identified as runways 3–21, 9–27, and 13–31.

In 1945, the Corps of Engineers extended Runways 9–27 and 3–21 to 5,699 feet (1,737 m). Six years later, in 1951, the USAF extended Runway 9–27 to 9,000 feet (2,700 m) and built a 1,000-foot (300 m) overrun. The control tower was also constructed during this time. Runway 9–27 was rebuilt and extended again in 1956 and 1966, respectively, reaching a length of 10,152 feet (3,094 m).

The original terminal building was constructed in 1954, south of Runway 9–27 and west of Runway 3–21. This terminal had a floor area of 14,200 square feet (1,320 m2) and 280 parking spaces. It served the airport for nearly 20 years.

In 1961, the Duluth Airport Authority Board renamed the facility Duluth International Airport. Twelve years later, in 1973, a new Terminal Building and U.S. Customs, International Arrivals Building, were completed east of Runway 13–31. To accommodate the construction, Runway 13–31 was shortened, resulting in its closure as a runway due to obstructions.

In 1989, the newer terminal building and adjacent structures were connected to form a single enclosure. The original terminal building was then converted into offices for general aviation, the FAA, and the U.S. Weather Bureau.

In 2013, a new passenger terminal was built in front of the 1973 terminal, addressing several issues with the previous design, including the tails of parked airplanes extending too close to the runway. The new terminal provides amenities such as restrooms and concessions beyond the TSA security checkpoint.

Today, Duluth International Airport continues to serve the region, offering daily flights to destinations like Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago, while also functioning as a base for the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing.

Facilities and aircraft

Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH, ICAO: KDLH, FAA LID: DLH) is a city-owned public-use joint civil-military airport. It is located five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of the central business district of Duluth, Minnesota, United States. The airport covers an area of 3,020 acres (1,220 ha) at an elevation of 1,428 feet (435 m) above mean sea level.

The airport has two runways: 9/27 and 3/21. Runway 9/27 is 10,591 feet (3,228 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide, with a concrete surface. Runway 3/21 is 5,719 feet (1,743 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide, with an asphalt surface.

For the year ending 31 December 2022, the airport recorded 61,302 aircraft operations, averaging 168 per day. The breakdown of these operations is as follows:

• 78% general aviation
• 7% military
• 11% air taxi
• 3% scheduled commercial

As of 31 December 2022, there were 89 aircraft based at the airport:

• 49 single-engine
• 10 multi-engine
• 4 jet
• 4 helicopter
• 22 military

Ground transportation

Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH) is located five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of Duluth, Minnesota, USA. The airport is owned by the City of Duluth, Minnesota, and is open to the public. It is a joint civil-military airport, serving the Twin Ports area, including Superior, Wisconsin.

Duluth Transit Authority operates a bus service (route 108) from the downtown Duluth Transit Center to the airport. Sun Country also operates a Landline bus service to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport's Terminal 2.

For those travelling in their own vehicles, Duluth International Airport offers long-term parking. Short-term parking is also available for those being dropped off or picked up.

Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available to and from the airport.

Hertz offers car rental services at the airport, and there are several other car rental companies in the nearby area.

There are several hotels near the airport that offer free parking, including Econo Lodge Duluth, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Duluth, and AmericInn by Wyndham Duluth.

Nearby airports

Duluth International Airport (IATA: DLH, ICAO: KDLH, FAA LID: DLH) is located in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. The airport is owned by the City of Duluth and is open to the public for joint civil-military use. It is situated five nautical miles (9 km) northwest of the central business district of Duluth.

While Duluth does have its own airport, there are several other nearby airports that serve the region. Here is a list of some alternative airports close to Duluth, Minnesota:

Chisholm-Hibbing Airport (HIB)

Although a smaller airport, Chisholm-Hibbing Airport is located near Chisholm, Minnesota, which is approximately 70 miles west of Duluth.

Gogebic County Airport (IWD)

Gogebic County Airport is located in Ironwood, Michigan, which is about 90 miles southeast of Duluth.

Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD)

Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is situated in central Minnesota, roughly 130 miles southwest of Duluth.

St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC)

St. Cloud Regional Airport serves the city of St. Cloud, Minnesota, which is approximately 150 miles southwest of Duluth.

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU)

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which is about 160 miles south of Duluth.

St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP)

St. Paul Downtown Airport is another airport in the region, located in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, roughly 160 miles southwest of Duluth.

These airports offer alternative options for travellers looking to fly into or out of the Duluth area. They provide flexibility and additional travel choices, ensuring convenient access to northern Minnesota and the surrounding areas.

Frequently asked questions