Maryland's Major Airports: A Comprehensive Guide

Maryland is home to 18 airports, three of which are considered major airports. One of these is BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, which serves the Baltimore-Washington region.

BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

The airport is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. In 2005, the airport underwent a renaming process to honour Marshall's legacy. BWI has consistently ranked among the top airports in terms of passenger enplanements and customer satisfaction. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

The airport has been subject to various improvement projects, including a $41.5 million enhancement project to benefit domestic and international passengers. A proposed renovation and expansion announced in October 2022 are described as the "largest capital project in the history of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport". This project includes upgrades to the Baggage Handling System and the renovation and expansion of the A/B Connector to provide a direct connection between Concourses A and B.

Military airports

Maryland, a U.S. state, has several public-use and military airports. One of the military airports in Maryland is Martin State Airport, which is located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. It was built in 1942 and primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement, and military aircraft. The airport also caters to flight schools and other aviation-related activities.

In February 2025, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $22.2 million construction contract for a new air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Baltimore County. The new tower will be designed to support the growth of the airport, improve safety, and provide greater visibility for air traffic controllers.

Another notable airport in Maryland is the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, which serves as a gateway to the Baltimore-Washington region. This airport has seen improvements to enhance travel for domestic and international passengers, with $41.5 million in upgrades.

Maryland's airports are regulated by the Maryland Aviation Administration, which works to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic in the region. The administration invests in infrastructure upgrades and advancements in aviation technology to meet the growing demands of air travel in Maryland.

Publicly-owned airports

There are several publicly-owned airports in Maryland, including primary airports that receive scheduled passenger service and have more than 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) each year. One of the most notable publicly-owned airports in Maryland is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), which is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. BWI is approximately 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. It serves as one of the major airports in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

BWI Airport offers convenient amenities such as low fares, modern terminals, and convenient parking, making it a popular choice for travellers. In 2023, BWI recorded over 12 million passenger enplanements, ranking it as the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The airport has undergone various improvements and modernization projects, including the Thomas A. Dixon Aircraft Observation Area at Friendship Park, which offers a playground and a terrace for plane spotting.

Another publicly-owned airport in Maryland is Martin State Airport (MTN), located in the eastern portion of Baltimore County. While it is a smaller facility compared to BWI, it still offers general aviation services and is known for its role in historical aircraft preservation and restoration.

Additionally, Maryland also has several commercial service-nonprimary publicly-owned airports. These airports have scheduled passenger service and record at least 2,500 passenger boardings annually. Examples of such airports include Easton/Newnam Field (ESN) and Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR). These airports likely serve smaller aircraft and may offer more limited flight options compared to the larger, primary airports.

Private airports

Maryland is a US state with 218 airports, both public and private. Private airports in Maryland are defined as those that are privately owned and not open to the public. These airports are typically smaller and may have restrictions on who can use them. They are often used by private pilots, businesses, and aviation enthusiasts.

One example of a private airport in Maryland is the Maryland Airport (MDF) in Indian Head, Maryland. This airport is owned and operated by a private company and is not open to the general public. It caters primarily to private pilots and businesses that require access to aviation services. The airport has a single runway and offers services such as fuel, parking, and maintenance.

Another example is the Martin State Airport (MTN) in Middle River, Maryland. This airport is also privately owned and operated, and it primarily serves general aviation and corporate aircraft. The airport has two runways and offers services such as fuel, hangar space, and aircraft maintenance. It is known for its convenient location, just north of Baltimore, and its well-maintained facilities.

In addition to these, there are several other private airports scattered across Maryland. These airports vary in size and scope, with some offering basic services while others provide more comprehensive amenities. Some private airports in Maryland may also be former public-use airports or have recorded commercial enplanements, which are passenger boardings, by the FAA.

Former airports

Friendship International Airport, dedicated by President Harry S. Truman in 1950, was the precursor to the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. The construction of Friendship International Airport cost $15 million, and the first scheduled flight was a DC-3 operated by Eastern Airlines. In 1957, the airport recorded 52 weekday departures, with nonstop flights to Miami, and westward flights reaching as far as Ohio. In 1963, Friendship International Airport boasted a 9,450-foot runway, capable of accommodating any commercial jet aircraft of that era. The airport was purchased by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in 1972 for $36 million.

Baltimore Municipal Airport, located at Harbor Field in southeast Baltimore, was the primary airport serving Baltimore before Friendship International Airport was built. When Friendship International Airport opened in 1950, the airlines relocated from Baltimore Municipal Airport to the new facility.

Another former airport in Maryland is the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, often abbreviated as BWI Airport. It is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI Airport 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. In 2023, BWI recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

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