Illinois' Airports: A Comprehensive Overview Of All Of Them

Illinois is a hub for air travel, with approximately 107 public and private airports, including 11 that offer commercial flights. The state's aviation system supports more than 337,000 jobs and generates over $95 billion in annual economic activity. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is the main airport in Illinois and is currently the 6th busiest airport in the world. In addition to the publicly owned airports, there are 38 privately owned airports open to the public, 548 restricted landing areas, and 273 heliports.

Illinois has around 107 airports

The state's central location has made it a hub for air travel, with Chicago's O'Hare International Airport consistently ranking among the top 10 in North America and the top 25 worldwide in terms of annual air cargo. O'Hare, with its four terminals and over 190 gates, is one of three airports serving Chicago, the others being Midway Airport and Rockford International Airport. In 2013, nearly 2 million aircraft took off or landed at Illinois airports with traffic control towers, and nearly 42 million passengers boarded commercial flights across the state.

In addition to the busy airports in Chicago, Illinois offers several medium-sized and small airports that provide commercial flights. These include Moline Airport, also known as Quad City International Airport, which is served by Allegiant Air, American, United, and Delta. Other notable airports include Peoria International Airport, Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, and Champaign's University of Illinois - Willard Airport.

The Illinois Department of Transportation plays a crucial role in the state's aviation system. The state's public-use airports generate $95.5 billion in annual economic activity and support approximately 500,000 jobs. Aviation accounts for more than 4.2% of Illinois's GDP and nearly 5% of the state's jobs. The state's airports also provide essential health, welfare, and safety benefits, including medical transport, flight training, law enforcement, military exercises, and search-and-rescue operations.

Chicago O'Hare is the main airport

Illinois is home to approximately 107 public and private airports, with over 4,800 registered aircraft. The state's system of airports supports more than 337,000 jobs and has a combined payroll of $12.8 billion, with an economic output of $40.9 billion.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, is the main airport in Illinois. It is currently the sixth busiest airport in the world and is one of the top three busiest airports in the US. O'Hare Airport is one of three airports serving Chicago, with the other two being Midway Airport and Gary/Chicago International Airport. Located about 23 kilometres from Chicago Downtown, O'Hare is a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines, but it also offers flights from some budget carriers. The airport has four large terminals and more than 190 gates. Hundreds of flights depart from and arrive at the airport daily, with New York City and Los Angeles being the top destinations.

O'Hare Airport consistently ranks among the top 10 in North America and the top 25 in the world in terms of its annual air cargo. It handles a total of 1.5 million tons of cargo, which can reach over 200 cities non-stop throughout the US and worldwide. More than 40 passenger airlines and over a dozen cargo carriers operate out of the airport. As a major supply chain hub, freight forwarders, brokers, and corporations benefit from Chicago's distribution infrastructure, central location, large economy, and highway network.

In addition to its economic impact, O'Hare Airport also provides health, welfare, and safety benefits to the region. Services such as medical transport, flight training, law enforcement flights, military exercises, and search-and-rescue operations directly contribute to the quality of life of Illinois residents.

11 airports offer commercial flights

Illinois is a hub for air travel, with approximately 107 public and private airports across the state. Of these, 11 airports offer commercial flights. The busiest of these are Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, which are also the main airports serving the city of Chicago. O'Hare Airport is currently the 6th busiest airport in the world and is in the top 3 busiest US airports, serving around 83 million passengers. It is a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines, and also offers flights from some budget carriers. O'Hare has 4 large terminals and more than 190 gates. Chicago Midway Airport is the closest airport to the city, located about 13km from the business district, and serves around 22 million passengers. Southwest Airlines is the main carrier at Midway Airport.

The third busiest airport in Illinois is Moline Airport, also known as Quad City International Airport. This airport serves the cities of Moline and Davenport, which are located in Illinois and the neighbouring state of Iowa, respectively. The airport is served by Allegiant Air, American, United, and Delta airlines.

Other airports in Illinois that offer commercial flights include Greater Peoria Airport, Bloomington-Normal Airport, Chicago Rockford International Airport, Springfield Airport, Champaign Airport, Belleville Airport, Marion Airport, and Quincy Regional Airport. These airports are served by a mix of major US airlines and smaller regional airlines.

There are 77 publicly owned airports

Illinois is a hub for air travel, and aviation is a major contributor to the state's economy. The state is home to approximately 107 public and private airports, with over 4,800 registered aircraft. Illinois' public-use airports generate $95.5 billion in total annual economic activity, resulting in 500,000 jobs that can be traced to the aviation industry.

There are 77 airports in Illinois that are publicly owned, open to the public, and eligible for public funding. These airports are owned and operated by local sponsors, with the State of Illinois acting as a co-sponsor for funding purposes. The majority of these airports are eligible for federal and state airport improvement program funding.

The 77 publicly owned airports in Illinois include primary, commercial service, and reliever airports. Primary airports, such as Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, are scheduled service airports that enplane at least 10,000 passengers in the previous calendar year, as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration. Commercial service airports, like the Quad City International Airport, are publicly owned airports with scheduled passenger service and at least 2,500 passenger boardings each year. Reliever airports, such as the Aurora Municipal Airport, are designated to reduce general aviation traffic at busy commercial airports and provide more general aviation access to the community.

In addition to the 77 publicly owned airports, Illinois also has 38 privately owned airports open to the public, 548 restricted landing areas, and 273 heliports. These privately owned facilities are not currently eligible for public funding.

Aviation accounts for 4.2% of Illinois's GDP

Illinois is a hub for air travel, with approximately 107 public and private airports and over 4,800 registered aircraft. The state's aviation industry plays a critical role in the National Airspace System (NAS), serving as a global gateway that connects Illinois to the world. Aviation is a major economic driver for Illinois, with its airports generating $95.5 billion in total annual economic activity and supporting nearly 500,000 jobs.

The Illinois Department of Transportation's 2020 Illinois Aviation Economic Impact Analysis highlighted the significant contribution of aviation to the state's economy. The report found that aviation accounts for 4.2% of Illinois's GDP, a percentage that underscores the industry's importance to the state's prosperity. This economic impact analysis is a comprehensive study that quantifies the aviation system's impact on the state, considering factors such as visitor spending, cargo shipment, and direct income contributions.

The aviation industry in Illinois offers a diverse range of services that cater to both passengers and cargo transportation. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, for instance, is a major supply chain hub, ranking among the top 10 in North America and the top 25 worldwide in terms of annual air cargo. In 2013, nearly 2 million aircraft took off or landed at Illinois airports with traffic control towers, and 42 million passengers boarded commercial flights across the state.

Beyond the economic impact, airports in Illinois also provide essential health, welfare, and safety benefits to its residents. Services such as medical transport, flight training, law enforcement flights, and search-and-rescue operations directly enhance the quality of life for those living and working in the state. Additionally, the aviation industry fosters connections between communities, providing landing space for medical transporters and recreational facilities for aviation enthusiasts.

The Illinois Department of Transportation recognizes the significance of aviation and is committed to strengthening the state's aviation system. Through initiatives like the Rebuild Illinois capital program, the state has invested in improving its airports, demonstrating a dedication to enhancing Illinois' connection to national and international economies.

Frequently asked questions