Toledo Airport: Which City Does It Serve?

Toledo is home to two airports: Toledo Express Airport and Toledo Executive Airport. Toledo Express Airport is a secondary airport for Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the surrounding region. It is operated by the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority on a lease agreement from the City of Toledo. Toledo Executive Airport, on the other hand, is the older airport, having been established in 1927. It was the second-largest airport east of the Rocky Mountains but was eventually replaced by Toledo Express Airport due to its inability to accommodate larger commercial aircraft.

Toledo Express Airport is located in Toledo, Ohio

Toledo Express Airport (TOL) is located in Toledo, Ohio. The airport is situated west of the city in the town of Swanton. The address is 11013 Airport Highway, Suite 11, Swanton, OH 43558.

The airport has a long history, with efforts to build it beginning shortly after World War II when civic leaders recognized the need for a modern airport to replace the inadequate Toledo Municipal Airport (now known as Toledo Executive Airport). After several proposed locations were discarded, a consortium of six major Toledo companies acquired the site of Toledo Express Airport in 1952 and sold the land to the city at cost.

Toledo Express Airport has experienced a range of incidents over the years. In 1960, a chartered plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashed on takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 22 of the 48 people on board. In 1992, an Air Transport International cargo jet crashed north of the runway, killing all four crew members. In 2003, a Dassault Falcon 20 crashed during an instrument landing system approach, descending below the glide slope.

Today, Toledo Express Airport serves the Toledo area and is utilized by several local companies as a base for their corporate aircraft. The airport has been working to bring in more airlines and flight destinations to enhance convenience for travelers. There are over 20 hotel and motel options within eight miles of the airport, providing accommodation for visitors.

Toledo's secondary airport is Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Toledo Express Airport (TOL) is the primary airport serving the city of Toledo, located west of the city in Ohio. Toledo's secondary airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).

Toledo Express Airport is a busy hub, home to several aviation companies, including Toledo Jet Center, which specialises in the Cessna Citation aircraft series, and BD Aero Works, an aircraft charter and maintenance provider. The airport is also used by passenger and cargo airlines, general aviation, and is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing.

The airport has a rich history, with efforts to build a modern airport starting shortly after World War II when civic leaders realised that the Toledo Municipal Airport was inadequate. In 1952, a consortium of six major Toledo companies acquired the site of Toledo Express Airport and sold the land to the city at cost. Today, the airport is operated by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority on a lease agreement from the City of Toledo.

Despite its impressive facilities and history, Toledo Express Airport has experienced fluctuations in traffic over the years. In the 1980s and 1990s, the airport thrived, with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights per day to 14 destinations. However, with the nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport offering a convenient alternative, traffic began to decline after 1997. By 2011, most airlines had discontinued their service, and traffic hit a low point in 2012. Since then, Toledo Express Airport has experienced slow growth, with financial support from state and federal programs aiding its recovery.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Toledo's secondary airport, is a major hub and an attractive alternative for passengers from Toledo due to its proximity. It is located in Romulus, Michigan, about 20 miles southwest of Detroit, and is a popular choice for travellers, including those from the Toledo region. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a large and busy airport, serving as a hub for major airlines and offering a wide range of domestic and international destinations.

Toledo Executive Airport was Toledo's airport until 1954

Toledo Executive Airport, previously known as Toledo Municipal Airport, was the primary airport of Toledo until 1954. The airport is located seven miles southeast of Toledo, in Wood County, Ohio.

The history of the airport dates back to 1927 when The Toledo Airport Committee was established. In early 1928, $257,000 was raised in 33 and a half hours—the time it took Charles Lindbergh to fly from New York City to Paris. The funds were used to purchase land for the airport in the spring of 1928, and on June 3, 1928, "The Transcontinental Airport of Toledo, Incorporated" was dedicated to a large crowd. The airport set records for air mail and became the second-largest airport east of the Rocky Mountains.

However, as aviation technology progressed, the airport faced challenges in accommodating larger commercial aircraft due to its limited expansion capabilities. This issue led to the development of a new airport, Toledo Express Airport, which was constructed in 1954. With the opening of the new airport, Toledo Executive Airport became redundant and was ultimately abandoned.

The field of the former Toledo Executive Airport was left unused for over a decade, serving purposes such as fireworks displays and drag racing. It wasn't until the late 1960s and early 1970s that the site regained its aviation purpose, hosting general aviation and business jets. In 1966, Executive Aviation signed a fifteen-year lease and invested in new infrastructure, including a main hangar, T-hangars, and a fuel facility. The airport continued to change hands, with Astro Aviation taking over operations in 1970, followed by the establishment of Crow Executive Air in 1974. In 1975, the airport came under the control of the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority, further solidifying its role in serving private, business, and charter flights.

In 2010, the airport underwent a renaming, changing from Metcalf Field to Toledo Executive Airport, reflecting its modern identity. Today, the airport caters to a variety of aircraft, including single-engine and multi-engine airplanes, jets, and gliders.

Toledo Express Airport is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing

Toledo Express Airport (TEA) is located in Swanton, Ohio, west of the city of Toledo. The airport came to be when, in 1952, a consortium of six major Toledo companies acquired the site and sold the land to the city at cost. Toledo Express Airport is used by several Toledo-based companies as a base for their corporate aircraft. These include Owens-Illinois, Owens-Corning, and Promedica Air, which houses its air ambulances at the airport. The airport is also home to the Toledo Jet Center, an aircraft maintenance and avionics services company specialising in the Cessna Citation aircraft series, and BD Aero Works, an aircraft charter and maintenance provider.

Toledo Express Airport has been the site of several air accidents over the years. On October 29, 1960, a chartered plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashed on takeoff, killing 22 of the 48 people on board, including 16 players. In the early morning of February 15, 1992, an Air Transport International Douglas DC-8-63F cargo jet crashed three miles north of the runway, killing all four crew members. More recently, on April 8, 2003, a Dassault Falcon 20 operated by Grand Aire Express crashed during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, descending below the glide slope.

Toledo Express Airport received nearly $3 million from the federal CARES Act during the Covid-19 pandemic, which helped upgrade facilities and continue normal operations during the downturn in travel. The airport received another safety grant in 2023, worth nearly $5 million.

Toledo Jet Center provides maintenance and avionics services for Cessna Citation aircraft

Toledo Express Airport is located in Toledo, Ohio. The airport is operated by the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority on a lease agreement from the City of Toledo. Toledo Jet Center, a business jet maintenance and avionics services company, is located on the north side of the airport.

Toledo Jet Center provides maintenance and avionics services for a variety of aircraft, including the Cessna Citation series. With decades of factory-trained experience, their technicians offer a full range of services, from engine repair and airframe maintenance to complete avionics installations and inspections. The company is strategically positioned to service aircraft, with locations in Toledo, Ohio (TOL) and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (FXE or KFXE), allowing them to serve over half of the US population within a one-hour flight.

Toledo Jet Center's skilled technicians are dedicated to providing top-notch, professional customer service and rapid turnaround times. They understand the importance of minimizing downtime and strive to keep their clients in the sky. The company's commitment to going the extra mile sets it apart from other maintenance facilities in the industry.

Toledo Jet Center's services extend beyond maintenance and repairs. They also offer import/export assistance, advanced systems troubleshooting, and AOG support. Their AOG services include sending an aircraft to clients' locations, reducing turnaround times and ensuring that clients' operations remain uninterrupted.

The Toledo Express Airport and Toledo Jet Center play a significant role in the region's economy and aviation industry. The airport has a low operating cost, and its convenient location makes it an attractive option for airlines and businesses. Toledo Jet Center's expertise in maintaining and servicing Cessna Citation aircraft enhances the airport's capabilities and contributes to its overall success.

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