Lois Larson
Yes, Mackinac Island does have an airport. The Mackinac Island Airport (IATA: MCD) is a public-use airport in Mackinac County, Michigan, United States. It is located approximately 1.6 miles from the downtown area, where most shops, restaurants, and lodging can be found. The airport accommodates charter and private flights, while commercial airlines operate from nearby larger airports such as Pellston Regional Airport and Chippewa County International Airport. The airport has a paved runway and a terminal building with various amenities, and transportation options from the airport include taxi services, bicycles, and horse-drawn carriages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial airline access | No commercial airlines land on Mackinac Island, but they do operate out of airports nearby |
| Charter and private flights | Yes, the airport welcomes charter and private flights |
| Aircraft parking | Accommodates up to 25 single or small twin-piston aircraft and 6 small-medium jets. Over 70 planes can be parked in the overflow grass parking |
| Location | 1.6-1.9 km northwest of downtown Mackinac Island |
| Transportation | Limited to bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and walking as motor vehicles are banned on the island |
| Staffing hours | September–May: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; June–August: 8 AM–5 PM |
| Terminal building | Includes a lobby, seating area, airport office, restrooms, drinking fountains, self-service night deposit box, AWOS weather monitor, pilot's lounge, Wi-Fi, vending machines, and a map of the island |
| Runway | 3,500 ft long, paved, and lighted, with a concrete surface measuring 3,501 by 75 ft |
| Aircraft operations | For the year ending December 31, 2018, the airport had 11,100 aircraft operations, averaging 30 per day |
What You'll Learn
Mackinac Island Airport history
Mackinac Island Airport (IATA: MCD, ICAO: KMCD, FAA LID: MCD) is a public-use airport in Mackinac County, Michigan, United States. The airport is located one nautical mile (1.9 km) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island, and is owned by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission.
The airport started as a grass strip in 1934, and got a paved runway in 1963. Six years later, in 1969, a terminal building was constructed. In 2011-2012, a $4.6 million project moved the runway 65 feet east to a flatter location. The airport covers an area of 125 acres (51 ha) at an elevation of 739 feet (225 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 8/26 with a concrete surface measuring 3,501 by 75 feet (1,067 x 23 m). The airport is accessible by road from Annex Road and is close to Michigan's only highway that prohibits vehicles, M-185.
The airport is staffed from September through May from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and from June through August from 8 am to 5 pm. The terminal building includes a lobby with a seating area, airport office, public restrooms, drinking fountains, a self-service night deposit box, an AWOS weather monitor, a pilot's lounge, Wi-Fi, local brochures, vending machines, and a large island map. Pilots have 24-hour access to the terminal. The airport ramp can accommodate parking for up to 25 single or small twin-piston aircraft and 6 small-medium jets, in addition to a loading area near the terminal for quick turns. Additionally, over 70 planes can be parked in the overflow grass parking.
Commercial airlines do not land on Mackinac Island, but they do operate out of nearby airports such as Pellston Regional Airport, Chippewa County International Airport, and Cherry Capital Airport. Visitors can take a shuttle or rental car from these airports to the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City, and then take a ferry to Mackinac Island.
Airports' Revenue Streams: A UK Perspective
You may want to see also
Aircraft parking
The airport has a 3,500-foot runway, capable of handling private and charter aircraft, with landing fees of $34.50 for turbo-prop and jets, and $12.50 for small to mid-size single aircraft and twin-engine aircraft. Monthly, annual, and fleet rates are also available.
The airport is located about 2 miles north of downtown Mackinac Island and is accessible by road from Annex Road. It is close to M-185, Michigan's only highway that prohibits vehicles. No motorized vehicles are allowed on Mackinac Island, with the exception of city emergency and service vehicles, and snowmobiles in winter. Travel on the island is by foot, bicycle, horse, or horse-drawn carriage or taxi.
The airport is a self-service airport for residents and tourists, with no fixed-base operator (FBO) or fuel available. It features a small terminal with lobby seating, restrooms, internet access, and vending machines.
The Evolution of Airport Movies: A Comprehensive Review
You may want to see also
Transport options from the airport
Mackinac Island Airport welcomes private and charter flights, but commercial airlines operate from larger airports nearby. The closest airport with commercial flights is Pellston Regional Airport, 12-miles from Mackinaw City. Other nearby airports include Chippewa County International Airport (35-40 miles away), Cherry Capital Airport (123 miles away), and airports in Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, and Marquette.
If you fly into Mackinac Island Airport, you can take a horse-drawn taxi carriage to your accommodation. The Mackinac Island Taxi Service operates 24 hours a day from May to October and has limited hours from November to April. It is highly recommended to reserve a taxi before you arrive at the airport. The taxi fare is $9 per person with a two-fare minimum.
If you fly into a nearby airport, you can take a shuttle or rental car to the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City, and then take a ferry to Mackinac Island. You can also fly into a major airport and then drive to Mackinac Island or to the ferry docks. From Detroit, it's about a 4-hour drive, and from Chicago, it's about 6 to 7 hours.
Once you're on Mackinac Island, keep in mind that motor vehicles are prohibited. The primary ways to get around are by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. There are no bicycle rentals at the airport, but there are several rental businesses downtown.
Airports and Smoking: Designated Areas and Rules Explained
You may want to see also
Commercial airline options
Mackinac Island Airport does exist, but it does not accommodate commercial airlines. Commercial flights operate out of nearby airports on the mainland, including:
Pellston Regional Airport (PLN)
Pellston Regional Airport is located in Pellston, Michigan, around 12-15 miles south of Mackinaw City. From here, it is a 24-mile drive to St. Ignace airport and the ferry docks. Ground shuttle services and car rentals are available to transport you to the ferry docks in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, from where you can board a ferry to Mackinac Island.
Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)
Chippewa County International Airport is 35 miles from Mackinac Island in Kinross, Michigan. Daily non-stop flights to this airport are available from Delta, departing from Detroit and Minneapolis. A shuttle or rental car can be arranged to take you to the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)
This airport, located in Traverse City, Michigan, is 123 miles from Mackinac Island.
Other Airports
Other airports in Michigan that accommodate commercial flights include those in Grand Rapids (GRR), Flint (FNT), Lansing (LAN), Kalamazoo (AZO), Saginaw (MBS), and Marquette (SAW).
Connecting to Mackinac Island
If you book a commercial flight to one of the above airports, you can then connect to Mackinac Island Airport via a local charter flight. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle or rental car to the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City and board a ferry to the island.
Portable Chargers: Fly With Them or Not?
You may want to see also
Airport facilities
Mackinac Island Airport is a public-use airport in Mackinac County, Michigan, United States. The airport started as a grass strip in 1934 and got a paved runway in 1963. It was only in 1969 that the airport received a terminal building. The airport covers an area of 125 acres at an elevation of 739 feet above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 8/26 with a concrete surface measuring 3,501 by 75 feet. The airport is owned by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and is categorised as a basic general aviation facility. It is accessible by road from Annex Road and is close to Michigan's only highway that prohibits vehicles, the M-185.
The airport is staffed from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm from September through May and from 8 am to 5 pm from June through August. The airport does not provide fuel, but it can be obtained from nearby FBOs in St. Ignace, Cheboygan, and Pellston. Aircraft parking is available for up to 25 single or small twin-piston aircraft and 6 small-medium jets, with additional overflow grass parking for over 70 planes. Tie-down ropes and wheel chocks are provided, and electric outlets are available for plugging in aircraft. Landing and parking fees apply and are payable at the airport office or by phone.
The terminal building offers various amenities, including a lobby with seating, public restrooms, drinking fountains, vending machines, local brochures, and a large island map. Pilots have 24-hour access to the terminal, which also features an AWOS weather monitor, a pilot's lounge, and Wi-Fi internet access. The airport does not permit camping, and bicycle rentals are not available on-site. However, private bikes can be stored in racks outside the terminal.
While commercial airlines do not serve Mackinac Island Airport directly, it welcomes charter and private flights. Connecting flights to nearby airports, such as Pellston Regional Airport and Chippewa County International Airport, can be made from major cities like Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago. From these larger airports, travellers can opt for a local charter flight, shuttle service, or rental car to reach Mackinac Island Airport or the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
Montreal Airport: ATM Access for Travelers
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mackinac Island has a public-use airport that welcomes charter and private flights.
No, commercial airlines do not land at Mackinac Island Airport. However, they do operate out of nearby airports such as Pellston Regional Airport, Chippewa County International Airport, and Cherry Capital Airport.
Pellston Regional Airport is located about 12 to 15 miles south of Mackinac Island.
From the airport, you can take a shuttle, rental car, or ferry to Mackinac Island. Transportation on the island is limited to bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, and foot traffic as motor vehicles are banned.
The airport codes for Mackinac Island Airport are MCD (IATA), KMCD (ICAO), and MCD (FAA LID).
