Iron River Airport: Does It Exist?

Iron River is a town in both Michigan and Wisconsin, and both locations have airports. The closest airport to Iron River, Michigan is Ford Airport (IMT/KIMT) in Iron Mountain, 46 miles from the town centre. The Gogebic-Iron County Airport (IWD) also serves Iron River, Michigan, with two daily flights, six days a week to Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis, MN. Iron River, Wisconsin is served by Rhinelander Oneida County Airport (RHI), 80 miles from the town centre.

Iron River, Michigan, has an airport

Iron River, Michigan, does indeed have an airport. The Gogebic-Iron County Airport is located in Iron River and offers flights to Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis, MN, six days a week. This airport also has agreements with major airlines such as United, American, and Delta. Additionally, the Iron County Airport System includes another airport located in Iron River, Michigan.

When searching for flights to Iron River, Michigan, it is worth noting that there are several options for departure airports, including Minneapolis-St. Paul and Detroit. It is recommended to book flights in advance, as prices tend to fluctuate with demand. However, for those with flexible travel plans, checking prices regularly can help find the best deals.

Iron River is also served by nearby airports in the region, including Ford Airport (IMT) in Iron Mountain, Michigan, which is approximately 46 miles from Iron River. Oneida County Airport (RHI) is another option, located 80 miles from the center of Iron River.

When planning a trip to Iron River, it is beneficial to consider the various travel options and airport choices available. Checking multiple airports and being flexible with travel dates can often help find cheaper flights and more convenient travel routes. Additionally, utilizing online tools and travel websites, such as Expedia, can assist in finding the most suitable flights and accommodations for your trip to Iron River, Michigan.

Iron County Airport in Crystal Falls, Michigan

The Iron County Airport System consists of two airports: one located in Crystal Falls, Michigan, and the other in Iron River, Michigan. The Iron County Airport in Crystal Falls is located on Horserace Rapids Road, about six miles southeast of the city centre. It is a public-use airport that is owned and operated by Iron County. The airport is open from April to December and can accommodate single and twin-engine planes. It has two runways, with the primary runway measuring 3,690 by 50 feet (1,125 by 15 metres) and featuring an asphalt surface. The secondary runway is turf and measures 2,700 by 145 feet (823 by 44 metres).

The airport in Crystal Falls previously operated an airfield named Dr. A.L. Haight Airport, located northeast of the city centre. As of 2023, that site is being developed for housing. The current Iron County Airport in Crystal Falls does not have a fixed-base operator, nor does it provide aircraft fuel. Despite this, the airport does offer private hangars for lease, with room available for additional hangars.

In terms of traffic, the airport had 150 aircraft operations in the year leading up to December 31, 2022, averaging 13 per month, all of which were general aviation. As of November 2023, there were three aircraft based at the airport, all single-engine planes. The airport has experienced at least one incident, with a Gottelt Herbert R Kitfox IV plane being substantially damaged during a hard landing on October 17, 2009. Another incident involved a Piper PA18 overrunning the runway upon landing on June 2, 2017.

Ford Airport in Iron Mountain, Michigan

Iron River, Michigan, is served by the Ford Airport (IATA: IMT, ICAO: KIMT, FAA LID: IMT) in the nearby town of Iron Mountain. This county-owned public-use airport is located 46 miles from the centre of Iron River and offers scheduled passenger flights through SkyWest Airlines, an affiliate of Delta Connection. The airport covers 720 acres of land at an elevation of 1,182 feet and features two asphalt runways, one of which is 6,502 feet long and the other 3,810 feet.

Ford Airport serves the greater Dickinson County area, which includes the Michigan cities of Iron Mountain, Kingsford, and Norway, as well as the bordering Wisconsin communities of Aurora, Florence, and Niagara. It also provides services to parts of Iron and Menominee counties in Michigan and Florence and Marinette counties in Wisconsin. The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021-2025 and is classified as a non-hub primary airport.

In addition to commercial flights, Ford Airport also supports general aviation. A fixed-base operator (FBO), Kubick Aviation Services, caters to both based and transient general aviation aircraft, providing services such as aviation fuel, aircraft parking, hangars, and rental. The airport is also a hub for FedEx Feeder operator CSA Air.

Safety is a priority at Ford Airport, and they maintain an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) 'Index A' trained team with the necessary equipment. This preparedness has proven crucial, as the airport has experienced several aircraft incidents over the years, including crashes during landing and takeoff attempts.

Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport in Wisconsin

Iron River, Michigan does have an airport. However, you asked me to focus on the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport in Wisconsin, so here is some information on that.

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (IATA: RHI, ICAO: KRHI, FAA LID: RHI) is a public airport located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southwest of Rhinelander, a city in Oneida County, Wisconsin. The airport is owned by the city and county and is primarily used for general aviation, although it is also served by two commercial airlines. It covers an area of 1,259 acres (509 ha) at an elevation of 1,623 feet (495 m) above sea level. The airport has two runways: a primary runway made of concrete, and a crosswind asphalt runway.

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is an essential conduit, connecting the region to the nation and world, and is vital to the economic well-being of its citizens and their quality of life. It is served year-round by Delta Connection, operated by SkyWest Airlines, offering passenger service to and from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP). United Express, also operated by SkyWest Airlines, provides summer seasonal service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

In the 12-month period ending December 31, 2022, the airport recorded 24,958 aircraft operations, averaging 68 per day. Of these, 88% were general aviation, 6% were scheduled commercial, and 6% were air taxi. As of August 2024, there were 43 aircraft based at the airport, including 37 single-engine, 3 multi-engine, 2 jet, and 1 helicopter. The Rhinelander–Oneida County Airport is part of the federal government's Essential Air Service program and enhances regional air travel safety by maintaining an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) 'Index A' trained team.

Gogebic-Iron County Airport in Michigan

Iron River, Michigan, is served by the Gogebic-Iron County Airport, which is located in Ironwood. The airport has one runway designated 9/27, with an asphalt surface measuring 6,502 by 100 feet (1,982 by 30 metres). The airport's navigational facility, the Ironwood VORTAC (IWD), is located at the field.

The airport offers a combination of facilities and services through its FBO (fixed-base operator), including fuel, a lounge, a conference room, and courtesy cars. Denver Air Connection operates out of Gogebic-Iron County Airport, with agreements in place with major airlines such as United, American, and Delta. This allows for seamless baggage transfer and the convenience of a single ticket itinerary when booking directly with these carriers.

Historically, the airport has experienced several incidents. In 2004, a twin-engine Piper crashed during landing, resulting in the tragic loss of the pilot, his wife, and their three daughters. In 2017, a single-engine aircraft avoided striking a deer while practising landings, but damaged a wheel assembly in the process. More recently, in 2019, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee crashed en route to Ontonagon County Airport due to adverse weather conditions.

In terms of flight options, Denver Air Connection offers daily flights to Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Boutique Air also provides service to these destinations as of 2020. The airport accommodates a mix of general aviation, scheduled commercial flights, air taxi services, and a small percentage of military operations. For those seeking domestic flights, Ford Airport (IMT) in Iron Mountain, Michigan, located about 46 miles from Iron River, may also be an option.

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