Mackinac Island Airport: Does It Exist?

Yes, Mackinac Island has a public-use airport, Mackinac Island Airport, located one nautical mile (1.9 km) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island, Michigan. The airport is owned by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and is included in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017-2021, where it is categorised as a basic general aviation facility. The airport has a 3,500-foot runway capable of handling propeller planes, small jets, and private and charter aircraft.

Mackinac Island Airport is a small but busy airport

The airport has a runway of 3,501 feet (just over 1 kilometre) in length, which is paved and lighted, and capable of handling propeller planes, small jets, and private and charter aircraft. It is open all year round, with the runway kept clear of ice and snow during the winter months. The airport is particularly important in winter when flying is sometimes the only way to access the island.

The airport is quite limited in terms of facilities. There is a terminal building, with a lobby, seating, public restrooms, drinking fountains, a pilot's lounge, and Wi-Fi. However, there is no fuel available for sale, and no bike rentals. The airport is staffed from 7:30 am-5:30 pm in the winter months, and 8 am-5 pm in the summer.

In the 12 months ending December 31, 2018, the airport had 11,100 aircraft operations, with an average of 30 per day. The majority of these were general aviation (68%) and air taxi (32%).

It is located one nautical mile northwest of downtown Mackinac Island

The Mackinac Island Airport is located one nautical mile (or 1.9 kilometres) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island, in the US state of Michigan. The airport is owned by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and is considered a basic general aviation facility. It covers an area of 125 acres at an elevation of 739 feet (225 metres) above mean sea level.

The airport has a 3,500-foot paved runway, capable of accommodating propeller planes, small jets, and private and charter aircraft. It is open year-round and is accessible by road from Annex Road, although it is not directly accessible from Michigan's M-185 highway, which prohibits vehicles. The closest major airports to Mackinac Island Airport are Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) and Pellston Regional Airport (PLN).

Mackinac Island Airport started as a grass strip in 1934 and received a paved runway in 1963, followed by the addition of a terminal building in 1969. In the 12-month period ending December 31, 2018, the airport recorded 11,100 aircraft operations, averaging 30 per day. The airport is staffed from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM during the winter months and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the summer.

Transportation options from the airport include the Mackinac Island Taxi Service, which operates horse-drawn carriages. Bicycles are another popular mode of transportation on the island, but they are not available for rent at the airport. Most lodging, restaurants, and shopping areas are located 1.8 miles south of the airport, easily accessible by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.

The airport has a 3,500-foot runway

The airport on Mackinac Island has a 3,500-foot runway, which is paved and lighted. The runway is capable of handling propeller planes, private and charter aircraft, and small jets throughout the year. The airport is a small but busy general aviation facility, open year-round and located around one nautical mile (1.9 km) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island.

The runway has a concrete surface, measuring 3,501 by 75 feet (1,067 x 23 m) and is at an elevation of 739 feet (225 m) above mean sea level. The airport covers an area of 125 acres (51 ha). The runway was moved 65 feet east to a flatter location in 2011-2012 as part of a $4.6 million project.

The airport is owned and operated by the Mackinac Island State Parks Commission and is maintained by state park staff during the summer season, with adjusted hours from October to April. The airport is accessible by road from Annex Road and is close to Michigan's only highway that prohibits vehicles, M-185.

The runway is capable of accommodating aircraft parking for up to 25 single or small twin-piston aircraft and 6 small-medium jets. Additionally, overflow grass parking is available for over 70 planes. Transportation options from the airport include the Mackinac Island Taxi Service, which offers horse-drawn carriages, as well as bicycles, which are a popular way to get around the island.

It is open year-round for charter and private aircraft

The Mackinac Island Airport is open all year round for charter and private aircraft. It is a small but busy general aviation airport with a 3,500-foot runway that can handle propeller planes and small jets. The airport is owned and operated by the Mackinac Island State Parks Commission and is maintained by state park staff from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily during the summer season. From October to April, the office hours are adjusted based on demand and staffing availability.

The airport is located one nautical mile (1.9 km) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island, Michigan, and is accessible by road from Annex Road. It covers an area of 125 acres (51 hectares) at an elevation of 739 feet (225 meters) above sea level. While there is no fuel available at the airport, it does offer a range of facilities for pilots and passengers, including a terminal building with a lobby, seating area, public restrooms, drinking fountains, and Wi-Fi internet access.

For those travelling to Mackinac Island, it is important to note that there are no cars allowed on the island. The primary modes of transportation are horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, or walking. The Mackinac Island Taxi Service offers horse-drawn carriages and can be reached at 906-847-3323. It is recommended to reserve a taxi before departing for the airport.

The airport is a vital lifeline for the island's residents and plays a crucial role during the winter months when the ferry service from St. Ignace is interrupted due to ice on the lake. The airport handles both passenger and cargo flights, ensuring that island residents, tourists, and businesses have access to the supplies and transportation they need throughout the year.

In addition to charter and private aircraft, the airport also accommodates air taxi services. The average number of aircraft operations per day is 30, with 68% general aviation and 32% air taxi. The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017-2021 and is categorised as a basic general aviation facility.

No major airlines fly directly to Mackinac Island Airport

The Mackinac Island Airport is a small but busy general aviation airport with a 3,500-foot runway capable of handling propeller planes, private and charter aircraft, and small jets. The airport is owned and operated by the Mackinac Island State Parks Commission and is located one nautical mile (1.9 km) northwest of downtown Mackinac Island.

While you can fly to Mackinac Island, no major airlines fly directly to Mackinac Island Airport. The airport does not have fuel services, and camping is not permitted on the island or at the airport. Transportation on the island is limited to bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and foot traffic, as motor vehicles are banned.

If you are looking to fly to Mackinac Island, you can take a charter flight or catch a flight to a nearby airport. The closest airport is Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), which is about 35 miles north of St. Ignace. You can also fly into Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), which is about 15 miles south of Mackinaw City. From these airports, you can take a shuttle or rental car to the ferry docks in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City and then board a ferry to Mackinac Island.

It is important to note that the availability and accessibility of these travel options may vary depending on the season. During winter, flying is sometimes the only way to reach Mackinac Island due to ice clogging the Straits of Mackinac.

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