Rhode Island's Air Travel: Airport Availability And Accessibility

Yes, Rhode Island has an airport. In fact, it has several, including the Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick, which is the largest and most active airport in the state. PVD is located 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Providence, the state's capital and largest city. It is conveniently located off Interstate 95, making it easily accessible. The airport offers a range of nonstop flights, great fares, and convenient parking options. In addition to PVD, there are also regional airports in Westerly and Block Island, as well as other nearby options in Boston, MA.

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport

Yes, Rhode Island does have an airport. In fact, it has been described as one of the country's most convenient airports. Named Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, the airport is located in Warwick, Rhode Island, and is about 6 miles from the state's capital and largest city, Providence.

History

The airport was opened in 1931 and was originally named Hillsgrove State Airport. It was renamed in 1938 to honour Theodore Francis Green, a former governor and longtime senator of Rhode Island. The airport's terminal, which was rebuilt in 1996, was named after former governor Bruce Sundlun.

Features and Facilities

Accessibility

The airport is easily accessible by road, with direct access to I-95 via the T.F. Green Airport Connector Road. Additionally, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides public bus transportation to and from Providence and Newport. For those travelling by train, the airport includes a station served by the MBTA commuter rail on the Providence/Stoughton Line, with travel times of about 15 minutes to Providence and 85 minutes to Boston.

Westerly State Airport

The airport offers a range of facilities, including a self-service fuelling station, aircraft tie-down and parking apron support, and a pilot briefing centre. There are 33 privately owned aircraft-based tenants, including New England Airlines, which provides scheduled airline service to Block Island, and Simmons Aviation, which offers banner towing, aerial tours, vintage aircraft rides, and flight training.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, Westerly State Airport had 11,201 passenger boardings in 2008, 8,804 in 2009, and 11,402 in 2010. The airport is categorised as a non-hub primary commercial service facility in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027.

Block Island State Airport

For the 12-month period ending 29 February 2020, the airport had 17,014 aircraft operations, an average of 47 per day. During this period, 72% of aircraft operations were air taxi, 28% were general aviation, and less than 1% were military. There were four aircraft based at the airport: three single-engine and one multi-engine.

In addition to New England Airlines, other airlines serving Block Island State Airport include Tropic Ocean Airways, and there is a seasonal service to the New York Seaplane Base.

Airlines that fly to/from Rhode Island

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) is served by nine airlines, including:

• American Airlines
• Breeze Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• United Airlines

These airlines offer more than 100 daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connecting flight options to destinations across the United States, including Nashville, Tennessee; Punta Gorda, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; Jacksonville, Florida; Daytona Beach, Florida; Wilmington, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; San Diego, California; Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In addition to the airlines that serve PVD, other airlines that fly to or near Rhode Island include:

• Spirit Airlines
• Darwin Airline SA Lugano
• Evergreen International
• Ghadames Air Transport
• Aircompany Kokshetau
• Royal Airways Limited
• Vietnam Air Service Co.
• West Caribbean Costa Rica
• Bulgarian Air Charter
• Florida Airlines

Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, is served by several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which offers flights to and from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Orlando, Florida, and Tampa, Florida.

Airports in neighbouring states

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) is Rhode Island's primary airport. It is conveniently located off Interstate 95, just 15 minutes from Providence and 35 minutes from Newport. It is also easily accessible from Boston, Cape Cod, and Southeastern Connecticut. The airport offers a range of nonstop flights, affordable fares, and convenient parking options.

While Rhode Island has its own airport, those travelling to or from the state may also opt to fly into or out of neighbouring airports in nearby states. Here is a list of airports in neighbouring states:

Massachusetts

Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nearby option for those travelling to or from Rhode Island. It is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Providence, Rhode Island. As a major international airport, Logan offers a wider range of flight options and connections.

Connecticut

Connecticut is another neighbouring state with a few airport options:

• Groton-New London Airport (GON) is one of two state-owned airports in Connecticut offering commercial air carrier service. It is located in Groton and primarily serves business commuters and leisure travellers in the southeastern region of the state.
• Bradley International Airport (BDL) is another option in Connecticut. It is located in Windsor Locks, about 2 hours and 30 minutes drive from Providence, Rhode Island. BDL is a larger airport serving the Hartford metropolitan area and is a good option for those seeking more flight choices and connections.

New York

For those in the western part of Rhode Island, airports in New York may be a convenient option:

• Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York, is about 2 hours and 15 minutes drive from Providence. It is a smaller airport but offers convenient access to the New York City area.
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is one of the major airports serving New York City. It is approximately 3 hours drive from Providence and offers a wide range of domestic and international flight options.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York City's primary international airport. It is about 3 hours and 15 minutes drive from Providence and provides connections to destinations worldwide.

These are some of the key airports in neighbouring states that travellers to or from Rhode Island may consider. Each airport has its own unique set of features, flight options, and accessibility, so it is essential to consider your specific travel needs when choosing an airport.

Frequently asked questions