Macon, Georgia: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Macon, Georgia, is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located about nine miles south of the city. The airport is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by commercial airlines, including Contour Airlines, which offers flights to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Middle Georgia Regional Airport

Macon, Georgia is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located about nine miles south of the city's central business district. The airport is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by Contour Airlines, the single commercial airline operating out of the airport.

The history of the airport dates back to the early 1940s when Macon's Chamber of Commerce began a campaign to bring war industries and defence installations to the city. The Army Air Corps selected a tract of land in Avondale, about nine miles south of Macon, for an airbase. The passenger terminal was built in 1959 and renovated in 2003. The airport has had various names over the years, including Lewis B. Wilson Municipal Airport, Macon Municipal Airport, and Cochran Field.

Today, Middle Georgia Regional Airport offers direct flights to Baltimore, with Contour Airlines providing daily flights to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The airport also offers vacation packages, such as a chartered flight to the Beau Rivage Casino & Resort in Biloxi. In addition, the airport has various spaces available for rent, including hangars, apron parking, and auto parking.

Commercial airline options

Macon, Georgia is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located about nine miles south of the city. The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but it is also served by one commercial airline, Contour Airlines, which offers flights to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. with standard fees ranging from $69 to $199 each way. Contour offers 12 weekly round trips to D.C., with two each weekday and one on Saturdays and Sundays.

In the past, other commercial airlines have served the airport, including Delta Air Lines and Eastern Airlines, which began operating in the 1940s using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Both carriers later upgraded to Convair 440 aircraft and, during the 1970s, operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jets from Macon to Atlanta. Eastern Express, operated by Metro Airlines on behalf of Eastern Airlines, also provided service to Atlanta using commuter prop aircraft. In 1988, Piedmont Commuter, operated by CCAir, began service to Charlotte using Jetstream 31 prop aircraft. However, this service was discontinued in 1989 when Piedmont Airlines merged into USAir.

In recent years, other commercial airlines that have served the airport include GeorgiaSkies, which offered flights to Atlanta under an Essential Air Service contract from 2008 to 2013, and Silver Airways, which took over this route in 2013 but discontinued service in late 2014. From 2017 to 2019, Contour Airlines offered daily flights to Baltimore and Tampa, with the Baltimore route resulting in a substantial recovery in passenger numbers.

For travellers willing to drive 75 minutes, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers an additional commercial airline option. As the world's busiest airport, it serves more than 95 million passengers annually with nonstop service to 160 US destinations and nearly 70 international destinations.

Contour Airlines

Macon, Georgia, is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, which is located about 9 miles south of the city. This airport offers a variety of options for travellers, including commercial flights, hangars, apron parking, and auto parking.

One of the commercial airlines operating from the Middle Georgia Regional Airport is Contour Airlines. This airline provides daily direct flights from Macon to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which is 33 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. Contour Airlines offers 12 weekly round trips, with two flights each weekday and one on Saturdays and Sundays. The standard fare for these flights ranges from $69 to $199 each way.

The Contour Airlines flights from Macon to Washington, D.C., are operated using a 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft, which has been reconfigured to offer passengers expanded legroom similar to first-class seating. The flight time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, and complimentary snacks and beverages are served onboard.

In addition to its scheduled flights, Contour Airlines also offers charter services. Their 30-seat aircraft can be chartered for custom, safe, and efficient travel for groups or events. The airline also provides interline check-in connectivity with American Airlines, making travel even more convenient for its passengers.

With its daily flights, competitive fares, and focus on customer comfort, Contour Airlines is a great option for travellers looking to fly between Macon, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.

Airport history

Macon, Georgia is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located about 9-10 miles south of the city's central business district. The airport covers an area of 1,149 acres at an elevation of 354 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 5/23, which is 6,500 by 150 feet, and 13/31, which is 5,000 by 150 feet.

The history of the airport dates back to the early 1940s when Macon's Chamber of Commerce began a campaign to bring war industries and defence installations to the city. Negotiations with the Army Air Corps led to the selection of a tract of land in Avondale, about nine miles south of Macon. The City of Macon and Bibb County obtained options on the desired tracts of land, and an informal agreement was made with the Army regarding the future use of the property.

On August 17, 1941, the first class of British Royal Air Force cadets arrived at Cochran Field under the Arnold Scheme. Until June 1942, Cochran was used exclusively for British training. The last British class graduated in early 1943, and the War Department constituted and activated the 27th Flying Training Wing (Basic) at Cochran, assigning it to the AAF Eastern Flying Training Command. Peak training took place in 1943, and the base was inactivated on December 15, 1945.

After the war, Cochran Field was utilised for various purposes, while Smart Field served as Macon's municipal airport until 1947. However, a tornado struck Smart Field, prompting the airlines to relocate their operations to Cochran Field, where they remain today. The passenger terminal was constructed in 1959 and underwent extensive renovations in 2003.

The airport has had several names throughout its history, including Lewis B. Wilson Municipal Airport (named after Macon's mayor from 1948 to 1953), Macon Municipal Airport, and Cochran Field. It has been served by commercial airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Eastern Airlines, which began operating in the 1940s with Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Over the years, these airlines upgraded their fleets and offered flights to destinations like Atlanta.

Other nearby airports

Macon, Georgia is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport located about 9-10 miles south of the city. However, there are other nearby airports that travellers to or from Macon may also consider.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Located about 75 minutes from Macon, this airport is the world's busiest, serving more than 95 million passengers annually. It offers nonstop service to 160 US destinations and nearly 70 international destinations. The airport is conveniently located off I-75, with easy access to many accommodations, restaurants, and attractions.

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport

While the exact distance from Macon is not readily available, flights from Middle Georgia Regional Airport to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This suggests that the airport is relatively close to Macon.

Hopkins International Airport

Although the exact location of this airport is unclear, Contour Airlines offers flights from Middle Georgia Regional Airport to Hopkins International Airport.

Frequently asked questions