Louisville Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance In Kentucky Aviation

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, formerly known as Standiford Field, covers 1,500 acres and is located in Louisville, Kentucky, just 10 minutes from downtown. The airport has a rich history, initially built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 and later expanded in the 1980s. It features three runways, including two parallel runways, and a modern terminal with two concourses, accommodating over 4.6 million passengers in 2023. The airport is known for its cargo operations, ranking as the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and sixth busiest worldwide.

The airport covers 1,500 acres

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, formerly known as Louisville International Airport and Standiford Field, covers 1,500 acres of land. The airport is located in Louisville, Kentucky, just 10 minutes from downtown, and is considered a major airport in the state. It is also one of the spots to be for tourism and travel, with the city breaking its tourism record last year and the airport seeing over 4.6 million passengers in 2023.

The airport has a rich history, with Standiford Field being built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 on land that was found to have not flooded during the Ohio River flood of 1937. It was originally named after Dr. Elisha David Standiford, a local businessman and politician who was active in transportation issues and owned part of the land. The field remained under the control of the Army until 1947 when it was turned over to the Louisville Air Board for commercial operations.

Over the years, the airport has undergone significant development and expansion. In the 1980s, more modern and larger facilities were constructed, replacing the older Lee Terminal. In 1995, the airport opened two new parallel runways, and the Kentucky Air National Guard moved its base to the airport, adding eight military aircraft. The airport also features a $26 million terminal that was renovated and designed by Gensler Inc. in 2005.

Today, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport continues to be a busy and significant hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. It is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest worldwide. The airport is also home to the United Parcel Service's (UPS) international air-sorting hub, Worldport, which connects Louisville to 220 countries and territories. With a vast expanse of 1,500 acres, the airport is well-equipped to handle the high volume of passenger and cargo traffic that passes through its gates.

It has three runways

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, also known by its former official names Louisville International Airport and Standiford Field, has three runways. The airport covers 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) and is located in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

The airport's IATA airport code, SDF, is based on its former name, Standiford Field. Standiford Field was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 and originally had one 4,000-foot (1,200 m) runway. The airport was expanded over the years, and in 1995, two new parallel runways were added: runway 17L/35R, 8,578 feet (2,615 m) long, and runway 17R/35L, 11,887 feet (3,623 m) long. Both new runways are 150 feet (46 m) wide. The westernmost runway (17R/35L) is the longest of the three and was extended in 2007 to accommodate larger aircraft flying nonstop to more distant destinations.

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is a significant cargo hub, ranking as the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest worldwide. This is largely due to the presence of UPS Airlines' operations and its Worldport facility, which handles a significant volume of international cargo. The airport also serves around 3.9 to 4.6 million passengers annually, offering nonstop service to over 35 destinations through eight airlines.

It's one of the major airports in Kentucky

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (IATA: SDF, ICAO: KSDF, FAA LID: SDF) is one of the major airports in Kentucky. The airport is located in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and covers 1,500 acres (6.1 km2). It is a civil-military airport with three runways and a two-floor terminal building. The airport is just 10 minutes from downtown Louisville, which is located in the north of Kentucky, right on the border with Indiana. The airport is well-connected to the city centre, with good transfer facilities including local buses, hotel shuttles, taxis, and limousines. Louisville itself is known for the famous Kentucky Derby and its vibrant nightlife.

The airport's IATA code, SDF, is derived from its former name, Standiford Field, which was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 on land that was found to be unaffected by the Ohio River flood of 1937. The field was named after Dr. Elisha David Standiford, a local businessman and politician who was active in transportation issues and owned part of the land. The airport was renamed in 2019 to honour the boxer and Louisville native Muhammad Ali.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is a significant hub for UPS Airlines' international cargo operations, with the company investing $1 billion in its Worldport facility, which includes 5.2 million square feet of modern technology and 155 miles of package-sorting conveyor belts. The airport is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest in the world, handling over 6.7 billion pounds (3.38 million tons) of cargo in 2022.

In addition to its cargo operations, the airport also serves millions of passengers each year. In 2022, the airport accommodated 3.89 million passengers, while in 2023, it saw over 4.6 million passengers. The airport offers nonstop service to more than 35 destinations on eight airlines, with connections to over 460 destinations worldwide with just one stop. The airport's main commercial terminal, the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal, features 24 gates across two concourses, providing convenient travel options for passengers travelling through Kentucky.

It's 10 minutes from downtown Louisville

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is conveniently located just 10 minutes from downtown Louisville. This proximity to the city centre makes it an ideal airport for travellers looking for quick and easy access to the city. With its low-fare options and convenient location, the airport attracts passengers from across Kentucky and the Southern Indiana region.

The airport's code, SDF, is derived from its former name, Standiford Field, which was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941. The field was named after Dr. Elisha David Standiford, a local businessman and politician who played an active role in transportation issues and owned part of the land. The airport's current name honours Louisville native and boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.

Despite its relatively small size, covering 1,500 acres (6.1 km2), the airport boasts an impressive range of facilities and services. It features a modern 360,000 square foot terminal building, the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal, with two floors seamlessly facilitating ground transportation, baggage claim, ticketing, and concourse access. Passengers can take advantage of nonstop flights to over 35 destinations on eight different airlines, with connections to more than 460 destinations worldwide with just one stop.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is also a major cargo hub, serving as the base for UPS's Worldport, the company's largest air hub. This facility connects Louisville to 220 countries and territories, processing an astonishing two million packages each day. The airport's cargo operations contribute significantly to its ranking as the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest worldwide.

The airport's convenient location and efficient operations make it a popular choice for travellers and contribute to its growing passenger numbers. In 2022, the airport accommodated 3.89 million passengers, with 2019 being its busiest year to date, surpassing 4.2 million passengers. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport continues to enhance its facilities with ongoing renovation projects, ensuring an even better experience for travellers in the future.

It's the third-busiest cargo airport in the US

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, also known by its former name, Louisville International Airport, is a civil-military airport in Louisville, Kentucky. The airport is considered a major airport in Kentucky and is located on 1,500 acres of land, with a 360,000-square-foot facility.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States. It handles a significant volume of cargo traffic, with over 6.7 billion pounds (3.38 million tons) of cargo passing through in 2022. The airport's cargo operations are closely tied to UPS Airlines and its international air express hub, Worldport. Worldport is UPS's largest air hub, and its presence at the airport significantly contributes to Louisville's strength in the worldwide logistics and e-commerce sectors. In 2020, the airport handled more than 6.43 billion pounds of cargo, experiencing a 4.6% increase over the previous year. This growth rate outpaced that of prominent airports in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The airport's cargo capabilities are further enhanced by its proximity to a large portion of the US population. Louisville's location places 75% of the US population within a two-hour flight and 95% within a four-hour flight. This strategic position, coupled with its efficient cargo handling capabilities, makes Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport a critical hub for UPS's global air network.

The airport's cargo operations have had a significant economic impact on the region. According to Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, the airport's cargo activities contributed approximately $10.4 billion in annual economic impact and supported over 82,000 direct and indirect jobs.

In addition to its cargo operations, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport also accommodates passenger traffic. In 2023, the airport served over 4.6 million passengers, making it the third busiest year on record. The airport offers nonstop service to more than 35 destinations and connects to over 460 destinations worldwide with just one stop.

Frequently asked questions