Toledo's Regional Airport: Does It Exist?

Toledo Express Airport (TOL) is located in Toledo, Ohio, and has been in operation since the 1950s. The airport has seen a recent increase in air travel, with a 22% growth in 2018. Toledo Express Airport is named after retired NASA flight director and Toledo native Gene Kranz. The airport supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions to the local economy. Toledo also has another airport, Toledo Executive Airport, which is primarily used for corporate aviation and privately-owned aircraft.

Toledo Express Airport

Toledo does have a regional airport, called Toledo Express Airport (TOL). The airport is located west of Toledo, and efforts to build it started shortly after World War II when civic leaders realised that the Toledo Municipal Airport was inadequate. The airport officially opened in 1955, and an Official Airline Guide (OAG) from April 1957 listed several airlines operating from the airport, including United Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Capital Airlines.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Toledo Express Airport saw considerable airline service, with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights per day to fourteen destinations. However, traffic began to decline in 1997 as passengers started driving to the nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport. By 2011, all but two airlines had discontinued service, and traffic bottomed out in 2012.

Since then, the airport has experienced slow growth, and in 2015, it recorded its third straight year of passenger growth, reaching 179,911 passengers. In 2018, air travel through the airport increased by more than 22% for the sixth consecutive year, with total passenger service reaching 241,299. This growth was attributed to the increasing service to and from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Airlines and destinations

Toledo does have a regional airport—the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport. The airport has seen six straight years of growth, with a 22% increase in air travel in 2018. Toledo Express Airport supported over 2,900 jobs and over $581 million in economic output in the Toledo Region in 2021.

The Toledo Express Airport has a rich history of airlines serving various destinations. Over the years, the airport has seen several airlines come and go, with some legacy carriers ending their service at the airport. Here is a detailed look at the airlines and destinations served by the Toledo Express Airport:

Historical Airlines and Destinations

• United Airlines: In the past, United Airlines offered several weekday departures from Toledo with jets like the Boeing 727-100, 727-200, and 737-200. Popular destinations included Chicago O'Hare Airport, Cleveland, and Denver.
• Trans World Airlines (TWA): TWA was a prominent carrier at Toledo Express, offering flights to St. Louis and connecting services to Cleveland and New York's JFK Airport.
• Delta Air Lines: Delta utilized jets such as the Boeing 727-200 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 to connect Toledo with Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Dayton.
• Eastern Air Lines: Eastern Air Lines served passengers travelling to Columbus, Miami, and Tampa. They operated jets such as the Boeing 727-200 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50.
• Frontier Airlines (1950-1986): This airline provided direct flights to Denver and Detroit, MI, using the Boeing 737-200.
• Air Florida: Air Florida offered nonstop flights to Washington, D.C. National Airport using the Boeing 737-200.
• USAir: Pittsburgh was a destination served by USAir, and they utilized aircraft like the BAC One-Eleven and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30.
• Air Wisconsin and Comair: These independent commuter airlines offered nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare and Detroit, with Air Wisconsin operating Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners and Comair utilizing Piper Navajos.
• Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989): San Francisco (SFO) was a destination reachable via Dayton, OH, on Piedmont's Boeing 727-200s.
• American Eagle Airlines (operating for American Airlines): Beginning in 1989, American Eagle provided nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare with four to five daily flights using ATR-42s and Fokker F27s.

Recent and Current Airlines and Destinations

• Allegiant Air: In 2012, Allegiant Air introduced twice-weekly service between Toledo Express and Punta Gorda, FL.
• Sierra West Airlines: Sierra West Airlines, a cargo air carrier, established a new base at Toledo Express in 2012, leasing a significant hangar space.
• American Airlines (Envoy Air): American Airlines, through its regional carrier Envoy Air, previously served the Chicago O'Hare route until September 2012, when it ended its legacy passenger service at the airport.

Airport history

Toledo Express Airport, officially Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, is a civil-military airport in Swanton and Monclova townships, about 10 miles west of Toledo in western Lucas County, Ohio. It is Toledo's primary airport and is used by passenger and cargo airlines, general aviation, and is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing.

Toledo Express Airport opened in 1954–1955 as a replacement for the Toledo Municipal Airport (today's Toledo Executive Airport), which was deemed inadequate shortly after World War II. A consortium of six major Toledo companies acquired the site of Toledo Express Airport west of Toledo and sold the land to the city at cost. The new airport was soon populated by airlines, with the April 1957 Official Airline Guide (OAG) listing several weekday departures by United Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Capital Airlines.

Toledo Express Airport saw considerable growth through the 1980s and 1990s, with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights per day to fourteen destinations. Traffic peaked in 1997, with 679,841 passenger enplanements, before declining as passengers began opting for the nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport. By 2011, all but two airlines had discontinued service, marking a historic low point for the airport.

Since 2012, Toledo Express Airport has experienced a slow but steady growth in traffic. The airport has received financial support and safety grants to enhance its facilities, safety, and operations. In 2018, air travel through the airport increased by more than 22% for its sixth straight year of growth, with total passenger service reaching 241,299. In September 2020, the airport was officially renamed to honour retired NASA flight director and Toledo native Gene Kranz.

Nearby airports

Toledo does have a regional airport, the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport (TOL). The airport is located west of Toledo and has been in operation since the beginning of 1955. Toledo Express Airport is not the only airport in the region, however. There are at least two other airports closer to downtown Toledo than TOL, including Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ) and Suburban Aviation. Toledo Executive Airport is just 15 minutes from downtown Toledo and is used for corporate aviation, premium air freight services, law enforcement, flight training, and privately owned aircraft.

Toledo Express Airport has seen a decline in passenger service in recent years, with American Airlines ending its service to the airport in 2022. The airport is still served by other airlines, including Allegiant Air, which offers twice-weekly service to Punta Gorda, Florida. In addition, Sierra West Airlines, a cargo air carrier, signed a 30-year lease at the airport in 2012.

Toledo Express Airport has some advantages as a regional airport. It has a low operating cost, no current operational restrictions, and ample capacity for existing airlines to expand their service. The airport also has a large catchment area, serving the Toledo Region and Northwest Ohio. In 2021, the airport supported over 2,900 jobs and over $581 million in economic output in the Toledo Region.

Despite these advantages, some passengers have expressed a preference for flying out of larger airports such as Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) due to the limited flight options and infrequent service at Toledo Express Airport. However, others have noted that they would prefer to fly out of Toledo if more direct flight options were available.

Customer opinions

There is also discussion around the future of the airport, with some customers hoping for the return of American Airlines and United Airlines, and others suggesting that the airport may struggle to compete with larger airports like Detroit. However, it is important to note that the aviation industry as a whole is facing challenges due to the pandemic and staffing shortages, which has impacted regional airports like Toledo Express.

Some customers have suggested improvements for the airport, including the addition of shuttle services to and from the airport, and the development of more direct flight options. Others have recognised the efforts of the Port Authority to enhance air service at the airport, and the airport's low operating costs and capacity for expansion.

Toledo Express Airport is considered an important gateway for the northwest Ohio region, providing convenient and efficient travel options for business and leisure travellers. The airport has been praised for its amenities, including ample parking, car rental services, and a comfortable and passenger-friendly terminal. The airport's strategic location and commitment to customer service have also been recognised, making it a vital transportation hub for the region.

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