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Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located in Rockford, Illinois. The airport is known for its convenience and hassle-free travel experience, offering curbside drop-off, quick check-in, short lines, and inexpensive parking. With a history dating back to 1917, the airport has evolved over the years, initially serving military purposes and later expanding into cargo and passenger operations. Today, Chicago Rockford International Airport caters to leisure travellers seeking low-cost flights and convenient alternatives to nearby airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chicago Rockford International Airport |
| Acronym | RFD |
| Location | Southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois |
| Address | 60 Airport Dr. Rockford, IL 61109 USA |
| [email protected] | |
| Perks | Short lines, free baggage carts, free parking lot shuttle, free wheelchairs, and friendly and helpful employees |
| Airlines | Allegiant Air, Amazon Air |
| Airports it is an alternative to | Chicago Midway International Airport, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, and Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin |
| Destinations | Florida, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, New York LaGuardia Airport |
| Other Features | Skyview Café and Bar, Airport Pet Lodge, Curbside drop-off, quick check-in, fast security lines, inexpensive parking |
| History | Camp Grant was established by the U.S. Army in 1917 as one of the largest military training facilities in the United States; in 1946, the Greater Rockford Airport Authority was created |
| Executive Director | Zack Oakley |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago Rockford International Airport's history
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located in the southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois, 68 miles northwest of Chicago. Covering 2,900 acres of land, the airport has two runways, both with an ILS: 1/19 is 8,200 x 150 ft, and 7/25 is 10,002 x 150 ft.
The history of RFD can be traced back to 1917 when the land it now occupies was Camp Grant, a U.S. Army training facility and prisoner-of-war camp during World War I and II. In 1946, Camp Grant was shut down, and the State of Illinois adopted the Airport Authorities Act, leading to the creation of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. The airport initially struggled with passenger service, with many travellers opting for bus services or driving to Chicago. As a result, the airport repositioned itself as an alternative for leisure travellers, offering low-cost flights to Florida.
In the late 1970s, Coleman Air Transport had a small hub at RFD, planning to introduce non-stop flights to New York before going out of business. In 1986, the airport resumed hosting large-scale air shows with the Midwest AirFest, featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, the airport underwent several name changes to reflect its growing status, officially becoming a US port of entry and achieving international status in 2004.
In the 2000s, RFD expanded its cargo operations, attracting cargo flights from major companies like UPS and Amazon Air, as well as from Germany and China. Today, the airport specializes in cargo operations, processing over 3.4 billion pounds of cargo annually. It continues to serve passengers through airlines like Allegiant Air, offering low-cost flights to destinations like Las Vegas and Florida. With its convenient facilities and growing economic impact, RFD remains a significant airport in the region.
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RFD's perks and services
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located in the southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois. The airport is marketed to residents of Rockford and the surrounding areas as an alternative to Chicago Midway International Airport, O'Hare International Airport, Mitchell International Airport, and Dane County Regional Airport. Airlines at RFD offer low fares, non-stop flights, hotel deals, car rentals, and vacation packages.
RFD's convenient layout and traffic flow make pick-up and drop-off easy, with a cell phone lot located just west of the main entrance. The airport offers several perks, including short lines, free baggage carts, a free parking lot shuttle, free wheelchairs, and friendly and helpful employees. The Skyview Café and Bar is open two hours before all Allegiant flights, serving breakfast items, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and sides, alongside a full bar and non-alcoholic beverages. A shop is also available for snacks, drinks, and other travel accessories. Additionally, the Airport Pet Lodge provides full boarding and grooming services for pets, with certified pet care technicians on staff.
RFD is a hassle-free airport, offering curbside drop-off, quick check-in, fast security lines, and inexpensive parking. The airport specializes in cargo operations and is among the fastest-growing cargo airports in the world, processing over 3.4 billion pounds of cargo annually. UPS Airlines and Amazon Air operate major hubs at the airport, which features two cargo facilities and three cargo ramps. The largest aircraft to have landed at RFD is the Antonov An-124 Ruslan.
RFD has a rich history, dating back to 1917 when Camp Grant was established by the U.S. Army as one of the largest military training facilities in the country. The airport has hosted large-scale air shows, including the Midwest AirFest, which featured the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the US Navy Blue Angels, and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. In 2017, the airport had 39,462 aircraft operations, averaging 108 per day, with 61% general aviation, 31% airline, 4% military, and 3% air taxi.
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Airlines that serve RFD
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located in the southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois. The airport is known for its economical pricing, convenient scheduling, and hassle-free services, including curbside drop-off, quick check-in, fast security lines, and inexpensive parking.
RFD has a convenient layout and traffic flow, making pick-up and drop-off easy. The airport also offers perks such as short lines, free baggage carts, a free parking lot shuttle, free wheelchairs, and friendly and helpful employees. Additionally, there is a café and bar, a shop for snacks and travel accessories, and an airport pet lodge that offers full boarding and grooming services.
RFD is served primarily by Allegiant Air, which began serving the airport in 2005 with flights to Las Vegas and later added flights to St. Petersburg-Clearwater. Allegiant offers low-cost flights to several popular vacation destinations, including Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay. The airline provides a user-friendly booking process and optional services such as priority boarding and flexible flight changes to personalize the travel experience.
In addition to Allegiant Air, Amazon Air also serves RFD, with cargo operations expanding in the 2020s to include flights from Germany and China. United Parcel Service also has a cargo facility at the airport, which opened in 1994. While scheduled passenger airline service ended in 2001, the airport restored passenger service in 2003, positioning itself as an alternative for leisure-based travellers seeking low-cost flights to Florida.
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RFD's runways and operations
Chicago Rockford International Airport (IATA: RFD, ICAO: KRFD, FAA LID: RFD) is located in the southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois, 68 miles (109 km) northwest of Chicago. The airport was established in 1946 and is built on the grounds of the former Camp Grant facility, which served as one of the largest training facilities for the U.S. Army during World War I, World War II, and the post-war period.
RFD has two runways, both equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS): 1/19 and 7/25. Runway 1/19 has a length of 8,200 feet (2,499 meters) and a width of 150 feet (46 meters). Runway 7/25 is longer, with a length of 10,002 feet (3,049 meters) and the same width of 150 feet (46 meters).
In 2017, the airport recorded a total of 39,462 aircraft operations, averaging 108 flights per day. The breakdown of these operations is as follows: 61% general aviation, 31% airline, 4% military, and 3% air taxi. RFD is among the fastest-growing cargo airports globally and is a significant hub for UPS Airlines and Amazon Air. The airport processed over 3.4 billion pounds (1.5 million tonnes) of cargo, ranking as the 14th busiest cargo airport in the United States.
RFD has a history of hosting large-scale air shows, such as the Midwest AirFest, which featured the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, and the rebranded Rockford AirFest, which last took place in 2005. The airport has also undergone several name changes over the years to reflect its expanding role and status. Today, it markets itself as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to larger airports in the region, offering low fares and hassle-free travel experiences.
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Air shows at RFD
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located in the southwest quadrant of Rockford, Illinois, 68 miles northwest of Chicago. RFD boasts a convenient layout and efficient traffic flow, making it a hassle-free airport with curbside drop-off, quick check-in, short lines, fast security lines, and inexpensive parking.
RFD has a rich history of hosting air shows, attracting aviation enthusiasts from across the region. Since its opening, the airport has hosted several air shows, with the Midwest AirFest taking centre stage from 1986 to 1994. This spectacular airshow featured the United States Air Force Thunderbirds twice during its run. After a lengthy hiatus, the AirFest was rebranded and returned as the Rockford AirFest in 2005, showcasing an impressive line-up of aerial displays.
The Rockford AirFest distinguished itself by becoming one of the few air shows in the United States to host a combination of elite aerial teams, including the US Air Force Thunderbirds, the US Navy Blue Angels, and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, on two separate occasions. This airshow was not just a showcase of aeronautical prowess but also a testament to the airport's ability to manage large-scale events.
Unfortunately, in 2016, the Airfest was indefinitely cancelled due to increasing operational demands at the airport. Despite this setback, RFD continues to be a bustling aviation hub, serving passengers and cargo operations, with a growing number of airlines offering competitive fares to popular destinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago Rockford International Airport.
RFD.
Chicago Rockford International Airport is a hassle-free airport with curbside drop-off, quick check-in, fast security lines, and inexpensive parking.
You can fly to destinations such as Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay.
The airport is served by Amazon Air and United Parcel Service.
