Airports In Detroit, Michigan: How Many Are There?

Detroit, Michigan, is served by several airports, with the largest and busiest being Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Located in Romulus, Michigan, DTW is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and offers international and domestic flights to over 140 destinations. Other airports in the Detroit area include Bishop International Airport, Capital Regional International Airport, and Windsor International Airport, which is actually located in Ontario, Canada. These airports offer a range of domestic and international flights and provide travellers with additional options for reaching the Detroit area.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

DTW covers 4,850 acres of land and is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and also serves as a base for Spirit Airlines.

The airport offers more than 1,200 flights per day to nearly 150 destinations across four continents. It features state-of-the-art passenger terminals, an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin hotel, and efficient ground transportation options.

DTW has a long history, with Wayne County planning an airport in the western townships as early as 1927. Construction was completed in 1929, and the airport was dedicated on September 4, 1930. Over the years, it has undergone expansions and renovations, including the addition of runways and terminals.

The airport provides a seamless travel experience with well-laid-out terminals and quick-moving security lines. However, public transportation to and from the airport is limited, with a lengthy bus ride required to reach downtown Detroit.

DTW is known for its efficiency, customer-friendliness, and operational capabilities, making it one of the most well-regarded airports in North America.

Bishop International Airport (FNT)

The airport is currently served by three passenger airlines: Allegiant Air, United Express, and American Eagle. Allegiant Air operates mainline service out of the airport, while United Express and American Eagle provide regional services. The airlines offer passenger flights to 13 cities across the United States. The airport also includes a freight terminal used by FedEx Express and an affiliate of FedEx Feeder.

Bishop International Airport is known for having the lowest average airfares in Michigan. In 2018, it served 700,000 passengers, making it Michigan's third-busiest airport after Detroit Metro and Grand Rapids. The airport's passenger terminal was renovated in 2012 and is designed for easy access. It covers 1,550 acres and has two runways.

The airport is accessible from I-69, I-75/US-23, and I-475 at Bristol Road. It is served by a bus line operated by the Flint Mass Transportation Authority, local taxi services, and Uber. Several car rental agencies are also available at the airport.

Capital Regional International Airport (LAN)

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) is located in Lansing, Michigan, and is a public, Class C airport. It is owned and operated by the Capital Region Airport Authority, an eight-member governing board. The airport is about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of downtown Lansing, with small areas located in Watertown and Delta Townships.

LAN provides direct passage to some of the largest airport hubs in the country, from where you can fly to almost any international destination. The airport also offers seasonal direct flights to popular vacation spots, including international destinations such as Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The airport strives to make air travel as simple and hassle-free as possible, with ample parking and transportation options. It has a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of travellers, including food, supplies, and accessibility assistance.

Capital Region International Airport covers 2,160 acres (8.74 km2; 3.37 sq mi) and has a four-floor terminal building constructed in 1959. The airport has three runways, with the longest being 8,506 feet (2,593 m) long and capable of accommodating large aircraft.

In terms of transportation, the airport is accessible by road from Grand River Avenue, Airport Road, and DeWitt Road. It is also connected to nearby freeways, including I-69, I-96, I-496, and U.S. Highway 127. Public transportation options include bus routes and on-demand microtransit services that connect the airport to the region's public transportation network.

The airport has a rich history, with the first recorded flight in Lansing taking place in 1911. The current site for the airport was selected in 1925, and the first planes flew from this site in 1926. The airport has undergone various expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new hangars, terminals, and runways.

In terms of passenger statistics, the peak year for passenger activity was in 1997, with 720,365 total passengers. The airport reported 180,385 scheduled passengers and 8,085 charter passengers in 2021.

Windsor International Airport (YQG)

YQG serves a mixture of scheduled airline flights and general aviation. It is a popular point of entry into Canada for private and business aircraft. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers can handle aircraft with up to 325 passengers, and up to 450 if the aircraft is unloaded in stages.

YQG first opened in 1928 as Walker Airport, named after the 19th-century whiskey distiller and distributor of the Canadian Club brand, Hiram Walker. In 1967, the airport was added to the national portfolio of Canadian airports, citing its increasing importance as a regional airport hub for Southwestern Ontario.

In 2012, The Windsor Star reported that airport traffic had increased by over 160% since 2008, with over 250,000 passengers passing through the airport in 2012, its busiest year ever. This has been attributed to aggressive efforts to attract more flights to existing and new destinations. In 2016, the airport handled 331,000 passengers.

YQG is operated by 'Your Quick Gateway' on behalf of the City of Windsor. It is certified by Transport Canada and operates as an airport of entry with Canadian customs services available. The airport has ample land, easily accessible logistics opportunities, and first-class aviation infrastructure for aircraft maintenance.

Air Canada is the primary operator at YQG, with commuter flights to Toronto and Montreal, from which passengers can connect to many other destinations. There is also seasonal service to warm-weather spots like Florida, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

While Windsor International Airport is close to Detroit, crossing the border might take some time depending on the day, and taxi rides to cross the border can be expensive. It may be more cost-effective to rent a car, depending on how much one plans on using it once in Detroit.

Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET)

Coleman A. Young International Airport (IATA: DET, ICAO: KDET, FAA LID: DET) is located six miles northeast of downtown Detroit, in Wayne County, Michigan, United States. It is owned by the City of Detroit and named after the late former mayor of Detroit, Coleman A. Young. The airport covers 264 acres of land, including two runways, the Air Carrier Terminal, Executive Terminal (with 14 large hangars), 129 small hangars, and 145 based aircraft.

The airport's 53,000-square-foot passenger terminal has space for restaurants, retail concessions, car rental facilities, airline offices, baggage pick-up and claim areas, boarding areas, and passenger lounges. The airport has three 1,000-space parking lots.

Coleman A. Young International Airport is a regional general aviation facility, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017-2021. It is a Class C gateway airport with 5,090 usable runway space. The airport handles more than 75,000 aircraft operations annually, with an average of 90 per day.

The airport has a rich history, serving as Detroit's primary airport until 1946-1947 when airline flights moved to Willow Run Airport and later to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The airport has seen several airlines come and go over the years, including Southwest Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, and Pro Air. Today, the airport has no scheduled passenger airline service.

The City of Detroit has explored various options for investing in the airport's future, including plans to lengthen the main runway, modernize supporting structures, and redevelop parts of the land currently used by aviation facilities. In October 2022, the airport received its first Airport Layout Plan in 30 years, making it eligible for significant federal grants and opening up possibilities for further improvements and expansion.

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