Airports In Michigan: How Many Are There?

Michigan has a large number of airports catering to public, private, commercial, and military aviation. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the largest airport in Michigan, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is one of the 20 busiest airports in the USA, serving as a major hub for Delta and Spirit Airlines. Michigan has 15 airports offering commercial flights, with only Detroit Airport classified as a large hub airport. The state has 235 airports open to public use, including 129 publicly owned and 106 privately-owned airports.

Michigan's busiest airports

Michigan has 54 airports, including 17 major airports and many smaller, local airports. In 2023, Michigan's airports collectively boarded 18.4 million passengers, an 11.5% increase from 2022. The five busiest airports in Michigan accounted for 98% of the state's total air passenger traffic.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, DTW is Michigan's largest and busiest airport. It handled 84% of the state's passengers in 2023, amounting to 15,378,601 passengers. The airport serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and features modern terminals, expansive amenities, and efficient operations. Its convenient location near I-275 and I-94 makes it easily accessible for travellers heading to Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Northern Michigan.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)

Michigan's second-busiest airport is located in Grand Rapids, about 20 minutes away from downtown. Named after the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, a native of Michigan, this airport serves as a gateway to 24 major market destinations. In 2023, GRR served 1,899,740 passengers, offering convenient connections to cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Denver.

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)

Nestled in Traverse City, Cherry Capital Airport is a charming gateway to Northern Michigan. It offers seasonal flights and year-round services, catering to tourists visiting the area's lakes, scenic trails, and wineries. In 2023, TVC served 347,763 passengers.

Bishop International Airport (FNT)

Located in Flint, Bishop International Airport is a regional hub serving Southeastern Michigan. With convenient parking, shorter security lines, and connections to hubs like Atlanta and Orlando, FNT provides an efficient travel experience. In 2023, the airport served 281,903 passengers.

Capital Region International Airport (LAN)

Serving Michigan's capital city of Lansing, LAN offers travellers easy access to the state's political and educational centre. While it may not have the same passenger volume as the larger airports, it is a significant regional hub, providing direct flights to key destinations. In 2023, LAN served 115,895 passengers.

Michigan's public and private airports

Michigan has a total of 235 airports open to the public, 129 of which are publicly owned and 106 are privately owned. These airports range from large international hubs to small local airfields.

The busiest airport in Michigan is the publicly owned Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is one of the 20 busiest airports in the USA, serving more than 36 million passengers annually and acting as a major hub for Delta and Spirit Airlines. The airport offers domestic and international flights, with Atlanta and Amsterdam as its busiest destinations. Detroit Airport is also accessible, with parking facilities for nearly 11,500 vehicles and connections to nearby highways I-275 and I-94.

The second busiest airport in Michigan is the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), located 20km southeast of Grand Rapids. The airport offers mostly domestic flights and is a common gateway to Grand Rapids and the nearby Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Other notable public airports in Michigan include Bishop International Airport (FNT), Lansing Capital City Airport (LAN), Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport (AZO), Sawyer International Airport (MQT), and Pellston Regional Airport (PLN). These airports offer a mix of domestic and international flights, connecting Michigan to various destinations across the country and the world.

In addition to the public airports, Michigan also has several private airfields that cater to smaller aircraft and general aviation. These private airports include Somerville Airport, Midway Airport, David's Airport, and Traverse Area Model Pilots Society (TRAMPS) Aerodrome.

Michigan's commercial airports

Michigan has a total of 235 airports open to the public, with 129 being publicly owned and 106 privately owned. Out of these, 15 airports offer commercial flights, with Detroit Airport being the only large hub airport among them. The rest are either small hub or non-hub airports.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, located in Romulus, is Michigan's largest airport and the busiest in the state, handling more than half a million takeoffs and landings annually. It is one of the 20 busiest airports in the USA, serving as a major hub for Delta and Spirit Airlines. The airport connects several destinations across the USA and the world, with Atlanta and Amsterdam being the busiest domestic and international destinations, respectively. Detroit Airport has two terminals and four concourses, and is conveniently located near the I-275 and I-94 highways.

The second busiest airport in Michigan is the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, located about 20 km southeast of Grand Rapids. The airport offers mostly domestic flights, usually serviced by American, Delta, and Allegiant Air Airlines. It is named after Michigan native and former US President Gerald R. Ford.

Other commercial airports in Michigan include:

• Bishop International Airport, located near Flint
• Cherry Capital Airport, located near Traverse City
• Capital Region International Airport, located near Lansing
• Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport, located near Kalamazoo
• MBS International Airport, located near Midland and Saginaw
• Sawyer International Airport, located near Marquette
• Pellston Regional Airport, located near Pellston
• Houghton County Memorial Airport, located near Calumet
• Chippewa County International Airport, located near Sault Ste. Marie
• Muskegon County Airport, located near Muskegon
• Delta County Airport, located near Escanaba
• Alpena County Regional Airport, located near Alpena

Michigan's first municipal airport

Michigan is home to 54 airports, including 17 major airports and several smaller local airports. Michigan City Municipal Airport (IATA: MGC, ICAO: KMGC, FAA LID: MGC) is a public-use airport located in Michigan City, Indiana, serving as a gateway for general aviation traffic, corporate jets, businesses, and visitors. The history of this airport dates back to the early days of aviation in the region, with barnstormers operating in the area as early as 1915 and the establishment of the Michigan City Flying Field in the late 1920s to early 1930s.

The Michigan City Municipal Airport covers an area of 285 acres, sitting at an elevation of 655 feet above mean sea level. It features a paved runway designated 2/20, measuring 4,100 by 75 feet. The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including parking, ramp space, and tie-downs, catering to a variety of aircraft, from corporate jets to small planes.

The airport has a rich history, playing a significant role in fostering local interest in aviation. The formation of the Michigan City Flying Field, the predecessor of the current airport, was driven by a group of aviation enthusiasts known as the "Doodlebug Flying Club," one of the oldest in the country. Many of its pilots went on to become flight instructors during World War II, contributing to the advancement of aviation in the region.

Today, the Michigan City Municipal Airport continues to serve the aviation community, offering economic benefits and connectivity to the region. With its thriving aviation hub, the airport cultivates general aviation traffic, accommodates corporate jets, and attracts businesses and visitors, driving economic growth and innovation within the community.

Michigan's airports with scheduled passenger service

Michigan has 54 airports, 17 of which are considered major airports. These major airports are publicly owned and receive scheduled passenger service, with more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year.

The major airports in Michigan are:

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Gerald R. Ford International Airport
• Bishop International Airport
• Capital Region International Airport (formerly Lansing Capital City)
• Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
• MBS International Airport
• Cherry Capital Airport (formerly Cherry County Airpark)
• Sawyer International Airport
• Alpena County Regional Airport
• Delta County Airport
• Houghton County Memorial Airport
• Chippewa County International Airport
• Manistee County-Blacker Airport
• Muskegon County Airport
• Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County
• Grayling Army Airfield
• Gogebic-Iron County Airport
• St. Clair County International Airport

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is Michigan's largest airport, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. The airport is conveniently located near I-275 and I-94, making it an ideal gateway to nearby cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor, as well as a starting point for longer road trips to Northern Michigan.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport, located 20 minutes away from downtown Grand Rapids, serves as a gateway to 24 major market destinations.

The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City provides access to Lake Michigan, wineries, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Flights to Mackinac Island are also available, offering travellers a convenient alternative to long drives and ferry rides to reach this motorless island.

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