Airport Accessibility In Delaware: Is There An Airport?

Delaware is a US state that does not have any major airports with scheduled commercial flights. However, there are a few privately-owned airports in the state, including Wilmington Airport (ILG), which is the only larger airport with commercial flights. The airport is located just minutes from scenic Brandywine Valley and offers convenient access to nearby major cities such as Philadelphia and New York. While Wilmington Airport has had a tumultuous history with commercial service, it currently offers flights to various destinations through Avelo Air and American Airlines.

Wilmington Airport

The history of Wilmington Airport dates back to before World War II when it was known as the Greater Wilmington Airport. During the war, it was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces and renamed the New Castle Army Air Base. After the war, control was returned to civil authorities, and it hosted Delaware's first airline flights in 1947 with service from TWA and American Airlines. The airport has seen various airlines come and go over the years, including Eastern Airlines, Allegheny Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Avelo Airlines, which began serving the airport in 2023.

The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) of land and has three asphalt runways. In the year ending December 22, 2022, the airport recorded 46,057 aircraft operations, with an average of 126 per day. The operations consisted of 80% general aviation, 12% military, 8% air taxi, and less than 1% airline. At that time, 219 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, jet, multi-engine, military, and helicopter types.

Delaware Coastal Airport

The Delaware Coastal Airport (IATA: GED, ICAO: KGED, FAA LID: GED) is a public airport in unincorporated Sussex County, Delaware, United States. It is owned by the Sussex County Council and is located two nautical miles (4 km) southeast of Georgetown's central business district. The airport was previously known as the Sussex County Airport until the Sussex County Council voted to change its name in mid-June 2015 as part of a $40 million rebranding and modernisation effort.

The airport covers an area of 615 acres (249 ha) at an elevation of 53 feet (16 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 4/22, which is 5,500 by 150 feet (1,676 x 46 m), and 10/28, which is 3,109 by 75 feet (948 x 23 m). In 2018, the airport recorded 34,310 aircraft operations, averaging 94 per day. It primarily serves general aviation (98%), with a small percentage of air taxi (1%) and military (<0.4%) operations.

The airport has received significant investments, including a $5.5 million federal grant in 2018 to construct a parallel taxiway to the main runway and improve approach systems. In 2019, additional grants from the FAA supported the extension of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft. These improvements, along with new hangar developments and self-serve fuel facilities, have enhanced the airport's capabilities and appeal.

Dover Air Force Base

The base was founded during World War II to meet the need of the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) for an airfield that could be used as a training centre. Construction of the Municipal Airport, Dover Airdrome began in March 1941, and the facility was opened on December 17, 1941. It was converted to a U.S. Army Air Corps airfield just weeks after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The airport came under military control and construction of runways, airplane hangars, and other facilities began. Most base buildings were constructed with temporary or semi-permanent materials and were not intended for long-term use.

Today, Dover AFB is the busiest and largest air freight terminal in the Department of Defense. The base has two runways: Runway 14/32, which is 12,903 feet long and paved with asphalt and concrete, and Runway 1/19, which is 9,602 feet long and paved with concrete. The airport averages 123,735 aircraft operations per year, serving entirely military aviation.

In addition to its military functions, Dover AFB is also home to the Air Mobility Command Museum, which is dedicated to military airlift and air-refuelling aircraft. The museum has a large collection of fully restored cargo and tanker aircraft, as well as various exhibits and archives related to the history of the AMC and Dover AFB.

Rehoboth Airport

Rehoboth Beach is a small town in Delaware, spanning just one square mile, and is known for its beaches. The best way to get around Rehoboth Beach is on foot, although a car is needed to get to the town, as there are no major airports in the immediate vicinity. The closest major airports to Rehoboth Beach are Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (42 to 49 miles away), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (113 miles away), and Philadelphia International Airport (113 to 114 miles away).

Other airports in the region include Wilmington Airport, also known as New Castle County Airport, which is the only larger airport in Delaware with commercial flights. However, passenger numbers at Wilmington Airport are significantly lower than at other US airports. Delaware Coastal Airport is another airport in the state, offering convenient access to nearby attractions and amenities.

New Castle County Airport

New Castle Airport, also known as Wilmington Airport or Wilmington-New Castle Airport, is located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington, Delaware. It is owned by New Castle County and operated under a lease agreement with the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The airport is five miles (8 km) south of Wilmington and about 30 miles (50 km) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New Castle Airport was opened before World War II and was named the Wilmington Airport and the Greater Wilmington Airport. During the war, the facility was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces and became the New Castle Army Air Base. Its mission was to facilitate the movement of aircraft to the British and other Allies.

After the war, control of the airport was returned to civil authorities, and a joint-use agreement was made between the United States Air Force and New Castle County authorities for a portion of the airport to be retained for an Air National Guard Base. The airport has been improved and expanded over the years, with new hangars and commercial buildings added to the property.

New Castle Airport offers a convenient and simple alternative to bigger regional airports. It is easily accessible, located close to multiple major highways. The airport provides parking next to the terminal in lots A, B, and C for $9.50/day, with no limit on the length of time parked. While there are no food services in the terminal, vending machines with hot coffee and food are available in the gate area, along with a water bottle refill station. There are also nearby restaurants and fast-food options close by, such as The Legend's Restaurant on the airport property.

The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) of land and has three asphalt runways. In the year ending December 22, 2022, the airport recorded 46,057 aircraft operations, averaging 126 per day. The operations included general aviation (80%), military (12%), air taxi (8%), and airline (<1%). At that time, 219 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, jet, multi-engine, military, and helicopter types.

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