Michigan's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

Michigan has several airports located throughout the state, making it easy to book flights. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's largest and busiest airport, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. The state also has several other airports, including the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, and the Bishop International Airport in Flint.

Michigan's busiest airport

Michigan has many airports located throughout the state, making it easy to book flights there. Michigan's largest airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), which is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is conveniently located near I-275 and I-94, making it easy to travel to nearby Detroit and Ann Arbor, or take a longer road trip to Northern Michigan. The airport is also equipped with a 10-level parking facility, accommodating nearly 11,500 vehicles, with free parking for motorcycles.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is also Michigan's busiest airport. While the number of outgoing flyers at some airports in Michigan was detrimentally affected by the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport retained its position as the state's busiest airport in 2021.

Other major airports in Michigan include Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Bishop International Airport in Flint, Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, and Capital Region International Airport in Lansing. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is named after Michigan native and former President Gerald R. Ford. It is located 20 minutes away from downtown Grand Rapids and serves as a gateway to 24 major market destinations. Cherry Capital Airport offers easy access to Lake Michigan, dozens of wineries, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Capital Region International Airport is a good option for those flying to Michigan State University.

Flights to Michigan's universities are possible through other nearby airports as well. For instance, Detroit Willow Run Airport (YIP) is located less than 10 miles east of the University of Michigan.

Airports near universities

Michigan is home to several top colleges and universities, including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University. The state also features a wide range of airports, making it easy to travel to these universities from anywhere in the country.

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's largest airport, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. Its convenient location near two major highways and its proximity to Detroit and Ann Arbor make it an excellent option for those travelling to the University of Michigan or Michigan State University. Additionally, the Detroit Willow Run Airport (YIP) is situated less than 10 miles east of the University of Michigan, offering another convenient choice for those visiting the university.

For those heading to Michigan State University, the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) is a suitable option. This airport serves the state capital, Lansing, which is home to one of the largest colleges in the US, enrolling over 39,000 undergraduate students annually.

Another notable airport in Michigan is the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, located 20 minutes away from downtown Grand Rapids. The airport is named after a Michigan native and former US President, Gerald R. Ford. Grand Rapids, also known as Beer City USA, is home to several colleges and universities, including Grand Valley State University.

Furthermore, the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City provides access to the state's northern regions. This airport is ideal for those who want to visit Lake Michigan, explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes, or travel to Mackinac Island, avoiding long drives and ferry rides.

Airports with military use

Michigan has several airports located throughout the state, including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), which is Michigan's largest airport, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, among others.

Some of these airports also serve military functions. Here is a list of airports in Michigan that have military use:

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, this airport is Michigan's largest and is conveniently situated near the I-275 and I-94 highways. It offers easy access to nearby Detroit and Ann Arbor and is equipped with a 10-level parking facility that can accommodate nearly 11,500 vehicles, with free parking for motorcycles.

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)

Located in Traverse City, this airport provides access to Lake Michigan, dozens of wineries, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It is also known for offering flights to Mackinac Island, saving travellers long drives and ferry rides to this motorless island.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Named after Michigan native and former President Gerald R. Ford, this airport is located 20 minutes away from downtown Grand Rapids, also known as Beer City USA. It serves as a gateway to 24 major market destinations.

Detroit Willow Run Airport (YIP) and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

These airports are convenient options for those travelling to the University of Michigan, as they are located less than 10 miles east of the Wolverines.

Capital Region International Airport (LAN)

This airport is the preferred choice for those travelling to Michigan State University.

Airports with private use

Michigan has 486 airports, including both public and private airports. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's largest airport, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is conveniently located near I-275 and I-94, making it easily accessible from Detroit and Ann Arbor. The airport also features a 10-level parking facility that can accommodate nearly 11,500 vehicles, with free parking for motorcycles.

While some airports in Michigan are publicly owned and serve a wide range of passengers, others are privately owned and operated. For instance, Coleman A. Young International Airport, located six miles northeast of downtown Detroit in Wayne County, is owned by the City of Detroit. It was categorized as a regional general aviation facility by the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021. However, it currently has no scheduled passenger airline service.

Berz Macomb Airport, formerly known as Berz Airport, was a privately-owned airport in Macomb Township, Michigan. It faced pressures from the surrounding suburban development and was eventually sold for $15 million. The airport's land was converted into a residential area, leaving only two remaining airports in Macomb County: Romeo State Airport and Macomb Airport in New Haven.

In addition to these airports, there are also two privately-owned and operated border crossings in Michigan: the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. These crossings provide vital transportation links and contribute to the state's economic viability and competitiveness.

Airports with commercial enplanements

Michigan has airports located throughout the state, making it easy to book flights within Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's largest and busiest airport, located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is considered a large hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates, serving 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States.

Other airports in Michigan with commercial enplanements include the Bishop International Airport in Flint, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, the Lansing Capital City Airport, the Muskegon County Airport, the Saginaw International Airport, and the Sawyer International Airport in Marquette. These airports offer varying levels of passenger services and destinations, contributing to the state's comprehensive air travel network.

The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is another notable airport in Michigan. It provides access to Lake Michigan, wineries, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Similarly, flights to Mackinac Island from this airport help travellers avoid long drives and ferry rides to Michigan's motorless island.

Additionally, the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) is convenient for those travelling to Michigan State University, and the Detroit Willow Run Airport (YIP) is a suitable option for those flying to the University of Michigan, located less than 10 miles east of the campus.

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