Airports In Kentucky: How Many Are There?

Kentucky is home to a strong aviation community, with 52 public-use general aviation airports and 6 commercial airports. The state has a total of 62 public-use airports, including two international airports: Louisville International Airport and Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. The Cincinnati airport is the busiest in the state, with an annual traffic count of over 2 million passengers. Kentucky also has several regional airports served by low-cost airlines. The airports in Kentucky offer a combination of domestic and international flights, with some functioning as global logistics hubs, connecting the state's economy to the world.

Kentucky's busiest airport

Kentucky has a strong aviation community, with 52 public-use general aviation airports and 6 commercial airports. The busiest airport in Kentucky is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which serves over 4 million passengers annually. It is one of the busiest airports in the state, with an annual traffic count of over 2 million passengers. The airport is located in Greater Cincinnati, approximately 1 mile from the central city, and is operated by the Metro Nashville Airport Authority.

The airport serves as a hub for several major airlines, including Air France, American, Continental, Northwest, United, US Airways, and USA 3000. These airlines fly to more than 120 cities every day from this airport. The airport has two terminals with an underground train shuttle connecting the concourses.

The second-busiest airport in Kentucky is the Louisville International Airport, which serves almost 4 million passengers annually. The airport is located in Louisville, approximately 2 miles from the central city, and is also operated by the Metro Nashville Airport Authority. Airlines operating from this airport include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, United Express, Southwest Airlines, and US Airways Express. Louisville International also has private hangars and a four-level parking garage to accommodate heavy traffic.

Other major airports in Kentucky include the Lexington Blue Grass Airport, the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport, and the Barkley Regional Airport. These airports contribute significantly to the state's economy, generating over $10 billion in economic impact and providing more than 85,000 jobs.

Louisville International Airport

Kentucky has 62 public-use airports, including two international airports: Louisville International Airport and Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Despite its name, Louisville International Airport does not have regularly scheduled international passenger flights. However, it is a port of entry and handles many UPS Airlines international cargo flights through the United Parcel Service's worldwide air hub, often referred to as UPS Worldport. The airport is the third-busiest in the United States and sixth-busiest in the world in terms of cargo traffic.

In 2023, over 4.6 million passengers passed through the airport, and in 2022, over 6.7 billion pounds (3.38 million tons) of cargo were processed. The airport offers flights to various domestic and international destinations, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and more.

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

The airport's main commercial terminal is the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal, which offers two floors for passenger services. The first floor provides ground transportation and baggage claim, while the second floor handles ticketing, passenger drop-off, and concourse access. The terminal has two concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B, each with 12 gates, connected by a rotunda and security checkpoint.

The Kentucky Air National Guard's 123d Airlift Wing operates C-130 transport aircraft from the co-located Louisville Air National Guard Base. Additionally, UPS, one of the largest employers in Louisville and Kentucky, has a significant presence at the airport, contributing to its high cargo traffic volume.

Kentucky's smaller airports

Kentucky has a total of 5 airports offering year-round commercial flights, with 2 international airports, and 6 commercial airports that provide scheduled passenger services. However, the state is also home to several smaller airports that serve the local community and general aviation needs.

The Louisville International Airport and the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport are the two international airports in Kentucky. The former receives nearly 4 million passengers annually and is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. The latter is one of the busiest airports in the state, with annual traffic exceeding 2 million passengers. It is served by Air France, American Airlines, and other major carriers, and offers flights to over 120 destinations worldwide.

In addition to these major airports, Kentucky has several smaller airports that cater to local and regional travel. These include the:

• Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport
• Murray-Calloway County Airport
• Henderson City-County Airport
• Elizabethtown Regional Airport
• Capital City Airport
• Godman Army Airfield
• Glasgow Municipal Airport
• Campbell Army Airfield
• Sturgis Municipal Airport
• Creech Army Air Field
• Lake Cumberland Regional Airport
• Mayfield Graves County Airport
• Whitesburg Municipal Airport (now closed)
• Tompkinsville-Monroe County Airport
• Pike County Airport-Hatcher Field
• Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport

These smaller airports play a crucial role in providing access to remote areas, supporting business and corporate travel, and promoting aviation education and innovation in the state. They contribute to the strong aviation community in Kentucky, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity across the state.

Airports with military connections

Kentucky is home to several airports with military connections, each playing a significant role in the region's aviation landscape and contributing to its defence and transport infrastructure. These airports showcase the state's rich history and ongoing commitment to military operations and preparedness.

One notable airport with military ties is the Godman Army Airfield, situated within the Fort Knox Military Reservation. This airfield serves as a vital hub for military aviation activities in the region. Godman Army Airfield has a long and proud history, dating back to its establishment in 1939. It has played a strategic role in various military operations and continues to be a key asset for the US Army. The airfield is also known for its association with the 100th Division, a renowned infantry division of the US Army Reserve.

Another important military airport in Kentucky is the Louisville Air National Guard Base, located at the Louisville International Airport. This base is home to the 123rd Airlift Wing of the Kentucky Air National Guard. The 123rd Airlift Wing has a distinguished history, specialising in tactical airlift missions and providing critical support for military operations worldwide. The base also contributes to humanitarian efforts, often deploying personnel and resources for disaster relief and emergency response.

The Wendell H. Ford Airport in Hazard, Kentucky, also has military connections. Named after the late Senator and Governor of Kentucky, this airport serves as a vital access point for the eastern region of the state. While primarily serving civilian aviation, the airport has a strong relationship with the Kentucky National Guard and has been instrumental in supporting their operations. The Kentucky National Guard utilises the airport for training exercises and emergency response missions, ensuring the safety and security of the local community.

Last but not least, the Stuart Powell Field Airport in Danville, Kentucky, also has ties to military operations. This airport serves as a general aviation facility for the public, but it has a strong relationship with the Kentucky Army National Guard. The National Guard utilises the airport for helicopter operations, ensuring their readiness and ability to respond to emergencies and support the local community. The presence of military personnel and equipment at the airport showcases the seamless collaboration between civilian and military aviation in the state.

Airports with scheduled passenger services

Kentucky has six commercial airports that provide scheduled passenger services:

Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Kentucky, with annual traffic exceeding 2 million passengers. The airport is located about 20 km from the city of Cincinnati and has one terminal with 2 concourses. Airlines that operate from this airport include Air France, American, Continental, Northwest, United, US Airways, and USA 3000. The airport's underground train shuttle connects one concourse to another.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, recently renamed to honour the legendary boxer, is Kentucky's second-largest airport. It handles primarily domestic flights, with Atlanta and Charlotte being the most common destinations. The airport is located about 8 kilometres south of Louisville's city centre and can be reached by TARC public service, as well as shared vans, taxis, and shuttles. Southwest Airlines and Delta are the primary airlines operating from this airport.

Blue Grass Airport (LEX)

Blue Grass Airport is one of the smaller airports in the US, according to FAA classification. It is located in Fayette County, about 8 kilometres from Lexington. The airport serves domestic routes through Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. Atlanta and Chicago are the two most connected cities, each with over 100,000 passengers annually. LexTran public transport, shuttles, and taxis are available for travel to and from Lexington.

Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB)

The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is served by Allegiant Air and Cape Air. Owensboro, located just 5 kilometres from the airport, is the nearest city.

Barkley Regional Airport (PAH)

Barkley Regional Airport is situated about 14 miles west of Paducah, in McCracken County, Kentucky. It is owned by the Barkley Regional Airport Authority and is primarily used for general aviation. The airport employs about 100 people and is the fifth busiest in Kentucky. United Express is the airline that serves this airport.

Bowling Green-Warren County Airport (BWG)

Bowling Green-Warren County Airport is one of the six commercial airports in Kentucky, providing scheduled passenger services.

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