Flint, Michigan: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Flint, Michigan is served by the Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT). Located in southwestern Flint, it is the third-busiest airport in Michigan, surpassing the MBS airport near Saginaw in 2002 in terms of airline operations. The airport is served by three passenger airlines: Allegiant Air, United Express, and American Eagle. It offers nonstop flights to several destinations in the United States, including Florida, Chicago, Nashville, and Phoenix. Flint Bishop International Airport provides travellers with convenient access, low airfares, and a relaxing facility, making it a popular gateway for those visiting Southeast Michigan.

Bishop International Airport (FNT)

Flint does indeed have an airport, and it's called Bishop International Airport (FNT). Located in southwestern Flint, it is the third-busiest airport in Michigan, surpassed only by Detroit and Grand Rapids.

History

Bishop International Airport is named after banker and General Motors board member Arthur Giles Bishop, who donated 220 acres of his farmland for the airport in 1928. The airport was city-operated until 1987, when the city and Genesee County formed the Bishop International Airport Authority to run the airport.

Airlines and Destinations

The airport is served by three passenger airlines: Allegiant Air, United Express, and American Eagle. Allegiant Air operates mainline service, while United Express and American Eagle provide regional services. Allegiant Air is also a base operation, meaning it offers more flight options and better accessibility to its network.

In addition to nonstop flights to various destinations in Florida, the airlines offer flights to other US cities, including Nashville, Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, Portland, New Jersey, and Atlanta.

Facilities and Accessibility

Bishop International Airport is located in the southeast region of Michigan, where I-69 and I-75 meet, making it easily accessible by road. It offers terminal and shuttle parking options, with a free shuttle service to the terminal.

The airport also has a bus service operated by the Flint Mass Transportation Authority, and taxi and Uber services are available. Several car rental agencies can also be found at the airport.

Development and Improvements

Bishop International Airport has undergone several improvements over the years, including the renovation and expansion of its terminal, which was originally built in 1993. In 2012, a new Transportation Security Administration checkpoint opened, and the completed terminal was dedicated in November of that year.

The airport has also received various grants to fund upgrades and improvements, including taxiway repairs, lighting enhancements, and runway rehabilitation.

Location and transport links

Flint does indeed have an airport: the Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT). The airport is located in southwestern Flint, where I-69 and I-75 meet, and is surrounded by Flint Township to the north, east and west, and Mundy Township to the south. The address is G-3425 West Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507-3183.

Flint Bishop International Airport is accessible by road from I-69, I-75/US-23, and I-475 at Bristol Road. The airport is also served by a bus line operated by the Flint Mass Transportation Authority, local taxi services, and Uber. Car rental agencies are also available at the airport.

Flint Bishop International Airport is the third-busiest airport in Michigan, after Detroit and Grand Rapids. It is served by three airlines: Allegiant Air, United Express, and American Eagle. Allegiant Air operates mainline services, while United Express and American Eagle provide regional services. The airport offers flights to 13 cities across the United States, including Nashville, Las Vegas, and New Jersey. In addition, connections to the rest of the world are available via Chicago.

The airport has two runways: Runway 18/36, which is 7,849 feet long and 150 feet wide, and Runway 09/27, which is 7,201 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airport covers 1,550 acres of land.

Airlines and destinations

Flint, Michigan is served by Bishop International Airport (FNT). The airport offers the lowest average airfares in Michigan, while still offering the same destination options as a larger airport.

Airlines

Flint Bishop Airport is served by Allegiant, which offers flights to several destinations in Florida, as well as nonstop flights to Portland, Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Nashville, Tennessee. The airport also offers daily flights to Chicago O'Hare, with connections to destinations all over the world.

Other airlines that fly to Flint include United, which offers flights from over 200 airports within the US and an additional 100 airports internationally, and American Airlines.

Destinations

Destinations served by the airport include:

• Chicago
• Detroit
• Washington
• Denver
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Dallas
• Phoenix
• Fort Lauderdale
• Washington, D.C.
• New York/Newark
• Las Vegas
• Tampa
• Honolulu
• Houston
• Orlando
• Miami
• Fort Myers
• Casper
• Atlanta

History and development

Flint, Michigan, is served by Bishop International Airport (FNT), which is located in southwestern Flint. The airport is named after banker and General Motors board member Arthur Giles Bishop, who donated 220 acres of his farmland for the airport in 1928.

The city of Flint operated Bishop Airport until 1987, when the city and Genesee County formed the Bishop International Airport Authority to run the airport. The airport is currently served by three passenger airlines: Allegiant Air, United Express, and American Eagle. Allegiant Air operates mainline service, while United Express and American Eagle provide regional services. The airport also includes a freight terminal used by FedEx Express and an affiliate of FedEx Feeder.

In 1993, the current terminal was completed, and most airlines serving Flint at the time were using propeller aircraft. Northwest Airlines, which operated a major hub at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, upgraded most of their flights from Detroit to Flint to DC-9 jets in 1996. In 1997, ValuJet Airlines began service to Flint, becoming the city's first low-cost carrier. This prompted Northwest Airlines to increase its service to Flint, leading to growth in air service throughout the 2000s, including flights to Florida and Las Vegas.

In 2001, Delta Air Lines began flights to Flint, offering Delta Connection flights to their hub in Cincinnati. In 2002, ATA Connection started flights from Flint to Chicago Midway Airport, and American Eagle began flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. In 2009, Northwest Airlines merged into Delta Air Lines, and Delta continued to operate flights to Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul. However, they discontinued the short flights to Detroit in 2013.

In 2014, United Express added flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and AirTran was merged into Southwest Airlines. Southwest served Flint briefly, offering flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa, Baltimore, and seasonal service to Fort Myers before ceasing operations in 2018. In 2016, Allegiant Air began service to Orlando and Tampa, and has since expanded its routes to include Nashville, Las Vegas, and other destinations. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allegiant became the number-one air carrier in Flint in 2019, carrying 41% of the city's passengers.

Accidents and incidents

Flint, Michigan, is served by Bishop International Airport, which has experienced several accidents and incidents over the years. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing some of these occurrences:

On May 18, 1935, a tragic crash landing occurred at Flint-Bishop Airport involving a Ford Trimotor operated by Knowles Flying Service. Unfortunately, two passengers and the pilot lost their lives, while the remaining nine passengers on board survived.

On April 5, 1958, Capital Airlines Flight 67, a Vickers Viscount en route from Flint-Bishop to MBS International Airport near Saginaw, met a fateful end. The aircraft crashed during its approach due to a deadly accumulation of ice.

On January 6, 1977, a Learjet 23 operated by Jet Avia suffered a fatal crash. The aircraft was on a runway 27 localizer back course approach in challenging conditions of snow and a low ceiling. The probable cause of the accident was attributed to a failure to maintain airspeed. Sadly, both occupants of the plane perished in the crash.

On November 16, 2011, a Piaggio P.180 Avanti operating as Avantair Flight 168 experienced a harrowing incident. The plane, flying from Detroit Metro to West Bend Municipal, suffered an engine failure and crashed upon landing. Fortunately, everyone on board escaped with only minor injuries.

On June 21, 2017, a disturbing act of violence unfolded at Bishop International Airport. Airport Police Lieutenant Jeff Neville was brutally stabbed in the neck by Amor Ftouhi, a Tunisian-born Canadian. Shouting "Allahu Akbar," Ftouhi perpetrated this heinous act, later revealing his adherence to extremist ideologies. Ftouhi was found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to life in prison.

These incidents underscore the critical importance of aviation safety and the ongoing efforts to prevent such tragic occurrences.

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