Airports In Connecticut: A Comprehensive Guide

Connecticut is home to several airports, including major airports such as Bradley International Airport and Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, as well as smaller, regional airports. These airports offer a range of services, including commercial airline service, charter services, and general aviation operations. In this article, we will explore the different airports in Connecticut, their locations, and the services they provide, to help travellers navigate their options when visiting or travelling within the state.

Connecticut's major airports

Connecticut has two major airports: Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, and Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) in New Haven. BDL is Connecticut's only airport with national and international traffic, including major airline flights. It is serviced by 13 airlines and offers passengers a single point of entry, centralized security, and a variety of shopping and dining options. HVN is a regional airport served by U.S. Airways.

In addition to these two major airports, there are five general aviation airports in Connecticut: Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham. Groton-New London Airport is one of two state-owned airports with commercial air carrier service. The other is Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which has no commercial flights.

Other airports in Connecticut include Danbury Municipal Airport, Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, Salmon River Airfield, Simsbury Airport, and Woodstock Airport, a small, privately-owned airport that accepts only charter and private aircraft.

Connecticut's local airports

Connecticut has two major airports: Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, and Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) in New Haven. BDL is Connecticut's only airport with national and international traffic, and it is serviced by 13 airlines. HVN is served by U.S. Airways. Both airports offer commercial airline services.

There are also several smaller, local airports in Connecticut, including:

• Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR): Located in Stratford, east of Bridgeport. The airport has a passenger terminal, a general aviation terminal, and private hangars. There are no commercial flights.
• Groton-New London Airport (GON): One of two state-owned airports with commercial air carrier service. The airport serves business commuters and leisure travellers in southeastern Connecticut. There are no scheduled commercial airline services, but charter services are available.
• Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR): A general aviation operator that accommodates charter and private planes only.
• Hartford-Brainard Airport: A general aviation airport.
• Waterbury-Oxford Airport: A general aviation airport.
• Danielson Airport: A small airport that accepts only charter and private aircraft.
• Woodstock Airport: A small, privately-owned airport that accepts only charter and private aircraft.

Connecticut's private-use airports

There are several notable private-use airports in Connecticut. These include:

• Whelan Farms Airport
• Thomson Field Airport
• Irish Hills Farm Airport
• Gardner Lake Airport
• Ski's Landing Area Airport
• Heckler Field Airport
• Maplewood Farm Airport
• Devils Hopyard Field Airport
• Roberts Farm Airport
• Wysocki Field Airport
• Laurie Field Airport
• Flying Ridge Airstrip
• North Canaan Airport
• Wychwood Field Airport
• Good Hill Farm Airport

Some of these airports were previously public-use, while others have commercial enplanements recorded by the FAA or have been assigned an IATA airport code.

In addition to these private-use airports, Connecticut is also served by major airports such as Bradley International Airport and Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, as well as several smaller local airports.

Connecticut's former airports

Connecticut has several notable former airports, including:

Ansonia Airport:

Closed between 1988 and 1989, this airport is now a suburban housing estate.

Bethany Airport:

This airport closed in 1966 and is now town land.

Stephenson Field/Bristol Airport:

Before it closed between 1955 and 1958, this airport was known as Stephenson Field. It is now the site of ESPN's headquarters.

Rentschler Field:

Rentschler Field closed between 1993 and 1997 and has since been redeveloped as a stadium and retail space.

Doane Airport/Essex Airport:

Doane Airport closed in 1955 or 1956 and remains undeveloped.

Hamden Airport:

Hamden Airport closed in 1936 and is now an industrial park.

Griswold Airport:

Griswold Airport closed in 2007 and has been replaced by municipal athletic fields.

Monroe Airport:

Monroe Airport closed between 1973 and 1979, and the land is now used for cemeteries.

Norwalk Airport:

Norwalk Airport closed between 1940 and 1941 and is now a parochial school.

Pachaug Airport/Lakeside Airport:

Pachaug Airport closed in 1993 and has since been redeveloped as an industrial park.

Salem Airport:

Salem Airport closed between 1951 and 1960, and the land remains undeveloped.

Swift Airfield:

Swift Airfield closed by 2016.

New London–Waterford Airport:

New London–Waterford Airport closed in 1988, and the land remains undeveloped.

H & H Airport/West Haven Airport:

H & H Airport closed in 1950, and the site has been redeveloped as suburban housing and an elementary school.

Connecticut's airport authority

Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA)

The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is responsible for overseeing the operations of Connecticut's airports, including the major ones like Bradley International Airport and Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, as well as the smaller, regional airports. The CAA's primary objectives are to promote economic vitality and ensure customer satisfaction across all airports in the state.

Bradley International Airport (BDL)

Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks, just outside of Hartford, is Connecticut's primary airport. It is the only airport in the state with national and international traffic, served by thirteen airlines offering flights across the US and Canada. The airport provides a single point of entry, centralized security, and a range of shopping and dining options for passengers.

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN)

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport is the second-largest airport in Connecticut and is served by U.S. Airways. It offers commercial service and is accessible via public buses, taxi services, and rental car companies.

Groton-New London Airport (GON)

Groton-New London Airport is one of two state-owned airports in Connecticut with commercial air carrier service. While it does not currently have scheduled commercial airline service, it serves business commuters and leisure travelers in southeastern Connecticut. Charter services are available, and ground transportation options include taxi, limo, and car rental companies.

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR)

Located in Stratford, east of Bridgeport, this airport caters to general aviation and consists of a passenger terminal, a general aviation terminal, and private hangars. The passenger terminal includes airline check-in counters, arrival/departure gates, and rental car desks. However, it does not have any commercial flights.

Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR)

Danbury Municipal Airport is a general aviation operator that accommodates charter and private planes only.

In addition to these airports, Connecticut also has several other smaller airports, including Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Hartford-Brainard Airport, and Danielson Airport, which primarily serve charter and private aircraft.

Frequently asked questions