Roberta Aguirre
Maryland is home to several airports, including the Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport, both of which are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration. BWI Marshall Airport, located just south of Baltimore City, is one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States, offering passenger and cargo flights to domestic and international destinations. It is known for its convenient parking, modern terminal, and easy accessibility. Martin State Airport, on the other hand, is located in southeastern Baltimore County and primarily serves private and corporate aircraft. It also serves as the main base for Maryland's Air National Guard squadrons and various aviation divisions. These airports showcase Maryland's aviation infrastructure and play a significant role in facilitating travel and transportation within the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 2 |
| Names of airports | Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport |
| Owner | The State of Maryland |
| Operator | Maryland Aviation Administration |
| Location | BWI: Northern Anne Arundel County, just south of Baltimore City; Martin State Airport: Southeastern Baltimore County |
| Year opened | BWI: N/A; Martin State Airport: 1997 |
| Number of parking spaces | BWI: 8,400 (as of 2003) |
| Number of passengers | BWI: 22.3 million (2014), 22.5 million (2013) |
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What You'll Learn
BWI Marshall Airport
The Baltimore/Washington International Airport, also known as the BWI Marshall Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. The airport is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
In terms of passenger traffic, BWI Marshall Airport has experienced significant growth over the years. In 2023, the airport recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The following year, in 2024, BWI ranked second behind Washington/Dulles International Airport in the region, serving 27,059,733 passengers. The airport also witnessed a six per cent increase in air travellers in 2009 due to the availability of discount flights.
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Martin State Airport
The airport covers an area of 747 acres at an elevation of 21 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway, designated 15/33, and one helipad. In the 12 months leading up to October 11, 2022, the airport had 87,130 aircraft operations, an average of 239 per day, with 94% general aviation, 2% military, and 3% air taxi. There were 241 aircraft based at the airport as of October 2022, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, glider, and military aircraft.
The airport was first proposed by Glen Martin in 1937, who requested height restrictions around the airport due to the large, heavy transports that would be flying from its seaplane base. By 1945, Martin had built $5.5 million worth of structures on the field. The airport was purchased by the state in 1980 for $9.4 million, and Port-A-Port T-Hangars were added for general aviation use and lease.
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Maryland's two Air National Guard squadrons
Maryland is served by the BWI Marshall Airport, also known as the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. It is not clear if this is the only airport in the state, but it is the only one referenced in the search results.
Maryland's Air National Guard traces its origins to 29 June 1921, when the 104th Observation Squadron was federally recognized in Baltimore. The 104th was the first post-World War I National Guard unit to be equipped with its own aircraft—13 Curtiss JN-4 Jennies, which it flew until 1923. The unit was based at Logan Field in Baltimore.
The 104th flew a variety of aircraft during the interwar period, including the TW-3, PT-1, O-2, O-11, O-17, and O-38. In 1941, shortly before the US entered World War II, the unit was transferred to the 59th Observation Group as part of a reorganization of the US Army Air Forces. The 104th was mobilized for federal service that same year and flew anti-submarine patrols out of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in O-46s and O-479s.
In 1942, the unit was inactivated, and its personnel were transferred to the 517th Bombardment Squadron, later redesignated the 12th Anti-Submarine Squadron. The 104th was reactivated in 1943 as a training unit in Georgia, but it was not manned by Maryland Guardsmen. In 1946, the 104th was reactivated again as the 104th Fighter Squadron at Baltimore Municipal Airport, equipped with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, later replaced by P-51 Mustangs.
From 1955 to 1958, the unit was organized as a fighter-interceptor squadron, defending the Baltimore-Washington area against possible Soviet bomber attacks. In 1957, the unit relocated to the Glenn L. Martin Company Airport to support jet operations.
In 1962, a second group headquarters was added when the 175th Tactical Fighter Group was established. The 104th Tactical Fighter Squadron became a part of this new group. In 1968, the 135th and 175th were called out to help quell rioting in Baltimore following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Maryland is home to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), a modern airport with more than 700 daily domestic and international flights serving over 75 cities non-stop. Located in Anne Arundel County, BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, also in Virginia.
The airport is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. Its convenient location, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore, offers easy access to the Pennsylvania Railroad line, the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad line, and the proposed Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
BWI boasts low fares, convenient parking options, and a modern terminal, making it a popular choice for travellers. In 2023, the airport recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, ranking it as the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and 23rd in the United States for passenger enplanements.
The history of BWI dates back to the 1940s when the State Aviation Commission approved the Linthicum Heights site in 1946. The land was purchased from the Friendship Methodist Church, and construction began in 1947, with the airport eventually opening in 1950. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, including the integration of Concourses A and B in 2005 to accommodate Southwest Airlines' operations.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is named after former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a native of Baltimore. The airport offers a range of amenities, including stores, food and drink options, fitness facilities, children's play areas, and art exhibits.
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Baltimore City Police's Helicopter Unit
Maryland is served by the BWI Marshall Airport, also known as the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Baltimore County Police's Helicopter Unit
The Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) Aviation Team is based out of the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland. The unit operates three Airbus AS350B3 helicopters, designated "County Air" 1, 2, and 3. These helicopters provide crucial tools for officer safety and critical incident management. They enable command and control while providing valuable information during emergencies. The unit offers 16 hours of daily patrol coverage and is available 24 hours a day for emergencies.
The helicopters are equipped with multifrequency radios, facilitating simultaneous communication with multiple agencies and units. This includes air traffic control, nearby aircraft, departmental ground units, law enforcement agencies, task forces, and federal agencies.
The BCoPD Aviation Team works alongside other specialized units within the Baltimore County Police Department, such as the K9 Unit and the Honor Guard. The K9 Unit, for instance, specializes in search and rescue operations for critically missing and endangered persons, utilizing bloodhounds that undergo rigorous training and certification. The Honor Guard, on the other hand, is a volunteer unit that participates in events like police funerals, civic affairs, and community parades.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Maryland has several airports.
The State of Maryland owns and operates Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport.
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is one of the fastest-growing large airports in the United States. In 2014, around 22.3 million passengers flew through the airport.
Martin State Airport handles primarily private and corporate aircraft. It is also the main base for Maryland's two Air National Guard squadrons, the Aviation Division of the Department of State Police, the Helicopter Unit of the Baltimore City Police, and the Marine Division of Baltimore County.
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is designated an official port of entry by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was ranked first for airport service quality in 2009 by Airports Council International.
