Peoria, Illinois: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Peoria, Illinois, is served by the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, which is located five miles west of the city. The airport is accessible by Route 7, which operates daily from downtown Peoria, and public transit is provided by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District. The airport currently provides nonstop service to 13 destinations on three airlines: Allegiant, American, and United.

Peoria International Airport's history and name

Peoria International Airport, officially known as the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, is located 7 miles west of Downtown Peoria, Illinois. The airport covers 3,800 acres of land and is elevated at 661 feet (201 m). It has two runways: 13/31, which is 10,104 by 150 feet (3,080 x 46 m) concrete, and 4/22, which is 8,004 by 150 feet (2,440 x 46 m) concrete.

The history of Peoria International Airport can be traced back to the early days of aviation. In 1926, Charles Lindbergh, the famous pilot who later became the world's most celebrated aviation hero after flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, made a stop in Peoria while on his way from St. Louis to Chicago in his mail plane. Lindbergh used an air strip near Big Hollow Road and was a regular visitor to Peoria, often dropping off and picking up letters and packages.

In 1930, as planes began to outgrow the small landing strips, the Peoria Association of Commerce formed a committee to develop a new airport. A site was selected close to where the airport stands today, and in June 1932, 195 acres of land were purchased at $125 an acre. After a tax referendum was turned down twice by Peoria citizens, the construction of the new airport was financed by the local business community. The Peoria Airport, Inc. was formed, and the airport opened in 1932.

In October 1937, the Peoria Park District took over airport operations, purchasing additional land to expand the runways to accommodate larger aircraft. In 1950, the airport was turned over to the newly formed Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. American Airlines and Chicago and Southern Airlines began flights to Peoria in 1945, with Peoria's first jets, Ozark DC9s, arriving in 1966.

On April 25, 2007, the Greater Peoria Airport Authority announced plans for a new nine-gate terminal, with the old building to be demolished. The new terminal, designed by Reynolds, Smith & Hills of Jacksonville, Florida, and the Dewberry architecture firm of Peoria, was built by Turner Construction and opened on April 27, 2011. On October 10, 2008, the airport was renamed "General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport" during a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Ross Perot, a friend of the late Wayne A. Downing.

As of 2023, Peoria International Airport provides nonstop service to 13 destinations on three airlines: Allegiant, American, and United. The airport had 38,805 operations in the 12-month period ending August 31, 2023, averaging 106 operations per day.

Airlines and flights

Peoria International Airport, also known as General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA), is located 6 miles from the city center. The airport is served by three airlines: Allegiant, American, and United. These airlines offer nonstop flights to several destinations across the United States.

Allegiant offers direct flights to Peoria from 9 cities, with the most frequent departures from Phoenix, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Tampa, and Denver. Allegiant flights depart from and arrive at Concourse B of the airport.

American Airlines serves Peoria International Airport with direct flights from 3 cities: Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas. These flights are easily accessible from Concourse A of the airport.

United Airlines provides a daily non-stop service to Peoria from its hub in Denver, CO. United also offers direct flights from Chicago. These flights can be conveniently accessed from Concourse C.

In addition to these three main airlines, other carriers such as Delta Air Lines have previously served Peoria International Airport. The airport has also seen services from various other airlines throughout its history, including Chicago and Southern Airlines, TWA, Continental, Republic/Northwest, and Ozark.

The airport provides a stress-free travel experience with benefits such as free parking, shuttle services, car rentals, and premier services. It is easily accessible via Route 7, which operates daily from downtown Peoria.

Airport facilities and services

Peoria International Airport, formerly known as Greater Peoria Regional Airport, is located five miles west of downtown Peoria, Illinois, United States. The airport is owned by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria and was renamed in 2008 to honour General Wayne A. Downing.

Parking

Peoria International Airport offers free parking, with a Premier Lot available for close and secure parking with Premier Lounge Privileges. The lot is well-lit and fenced, just a short walk from the terminal. The airport also provides a shuttle service to assist passengers in finding parking spots.

Transportation

The airport has a shuttle service and is also easily accessible by public transit, with Route 7 operating daily from downtown Peoria. Additionally, car rental services are available, providing a convenient option for passengers requiring ground transportation upon arrival.

Airlines

The airport provides nonstop service on three airlines: Allegiant, American, and United. These airlines offer daily flights to various destinations, including a daily non-stop service from Denver International Airport to Peoria on 76-seat regional jet airplanes with service in two classes.

Terminal

The current terminal opened in 2011 and features a design by Reynolds, Smith & Hills of Jacksonville, Florida, and the Dewberry architecture firm of Peoria. It was built by Turner Construction. In 2016, the Ray Lahood International Arrivals Terminal was completed, providing additional gates, TSA services, and a US Customs Port of Entry facility, enabling the airport to accommodate international flights.

Security and Safety

The airport follows rules and safety tips to ensure safe flights within the national airspace. It is co-located with the Peoria Air National Guard Base, providing a home to various aircraft, including Lockheed C-130H Hercules planes and the Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) categorised the airport as a non-hub primary commercial service facility in its 2017-2021 plan.

Military aircraft and operations

Peoria International Airport, also known as General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (IATA: PIA, ICAO: KPIA, FAA LID: PIA), is a civil-military public airport located five miles west of downtown Peoria, Illinois, United States. The airport is owned by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria and was formerly known as the Greater Peoria Regional Airport.

The Peoria International Airport supports various types of operations, including military activities. Military operations are a daily occurrence at the airport, which is home to two military bases:

• Peoria Air National Guard Base: This base is occupied by the 182nd Airlift Wing (182 AW) of the Illinois Air National Guard, which operates the Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" aircraft. The Air National Guard unit is under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC).
• Illinois Army National Guard: The Illinois Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility No. 3 and 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment are based at the airport. They currently operate the Boeing CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter.

The airport's military operations involve the use of specific areas designated for military aircraft. TWY M, located south of RWY 13/31, is exclusively used by military (ANG) aircraft. The Illinois Army National Guard also utilizes the grass area between RWY 4/22 and TWY E on the east side for military training, arrivals, and departures. Helicopters frequently land and depart from the GA Ramp near the Byerly FBO and the NE Hangars.

The mix of pilot experience levels and aircraft capabilities, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing assets, adds a level of complexity to the airport's operations. The presence of intersecting runways and parallel taxiways also increases the risk of incorrect takeoffs or landings, requiring careful coordination and adherence to procedures.

In terms of traffic, for the 12-month period ending August 31, 2023, the airport recorded 38,805 operations, averaging 106 per day. Of these operations, 16% were attributed to military activities, highlighting the significant contribution of military aircraft movements at the airport.

Transport to and from the airport

Peoria International Airport in Illinois offers various transport options for travellers to and from the airport. The airport is located at 6100 W. Everett McKinley Dirksen Parkway, Peoria, IL 61607.

Public Transport

Public transit service to the airport is provided by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District. Route 7 operates daily from downtown Peoria to the airport.

Parking

The airport offers free parking, with a Premier Lot available for close and secure parking with premier lounge privileges. This lot is well-lit and fenced, just a short walk from the terminal and ticket counters. The Byerly Aviation Lot and Overflow Parking are also available, with additional spaces provided as needed. However, parking may take extra time due to construction surrounding the airport.

Shuttle Services

The airport provides a free shuttle service to assist passengers with transportation to and from the parking lots.

Ride-Sharing and Taxis

Passengers can also opt for ride-sharing services or taxis to arrive at or depart from the airport.

Car Rentals

Car rental services are available at the airport for those who prefer to drive themselves.

It is recommended to allow a minimum of 2 hours before the flight time for security and check-in, as ticket counters will close 45 minutes prior to takeoff.

Frequently asked questions