
Louisville International Airport, also known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is located in Louisville, Kentucky. The airport's code is SDF, which comes from its former name, Standiford Field. The airport was renamed in 2019 to honour the boxer and Louisville native Muhammad Ali. Louisville International Airport is a major hub for UPS (United Parcel Service) and is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport |
| Former Name | Standiford Field |
| Airport Code | SDF |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Number of Nonstop Flights | 52 |
| Number of Destinations | 37 |
| Number of Food and Beverage Options | 12 |
| Number of Passengers in 2023 | 4.6 million+ |
| Amount of Cargo in 2022 | 6.7 billion pounds |
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What You'll Learn

The code for Louisville Airport is SDF
Louisville Airport is a significant hub for cargo traffic, ranking as the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest worldwide. In 2022, over 6.7 billion pounds (3.38 million tons) of cargo passed through the airport. The airport also accommodates a substantial number of passengers, with over 4.6 million passengers travelling through in 2023. Louisville Airport offers 52 nonstop flights to 37 destinations across the US.
The airport has undergone various improvements and expansions over the years. In 2007, the westernmost runway was extended to accommodate larger aircraft for nonstop flights to distant locations. A $400 million terminal improvement project is currently underway, including a new security checkpoint, geothermal technology, and an airport operations centre. The airport's SDF Next Program involves $1 billion in planned enhancements.
Louisville Airport has a range of amenities and services for travellers. It features 12 food and beverage options, including the Book & Bourbon Southern Kitchen, showcasing a selection of Kentucky bourbons. The airport provides maps and flight status updates on its website, and TSA recommendations suggest arriving 1.5 hours before domestic flights and 2 hours before international flights.
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Louisville Airport was renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville Airport, also known as Standiford Field, was renamed the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on January 16, 2019, after boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was a Louisville native. The Louisville Regional Airport Authority board approved Mayor Greg Fischer's motion to rename the airport. Fischer said, "Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown, and fortunately, that is our great city of Louisville."
The airport's new logo, unveiled on June 6, 2019, features "Ali's silhouette, arms up and victorious, against the background of a butterfly." The airport is also undergoing a $400 million terminal improvement project, which includes a new 10-lane security checkpoint, geothermal technology, and a new airport operations center.
The airport is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth-busiest in the world, largely due to UPS Airlines' operations. Worldport, the worldwide air hub for UPS, is located at the airport. The airport also features over 85 bourbons on the menu at Book & Bourbon Southern Kitchen, making it a popular destination for bourbon enthusiasts.
The three-letter airport code, SDF, remains unchanged.
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The airport was previously called Standiford Field, hence the code SDF
Louisville International Airport, also known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is identified by the code SDF. The airport was previously called Standiford Field, hence the code SDF. The airport was renamed in 2019 to honour the boxer and Louisville native Muhammad Ali.
Standiford Field was originally built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941 on a parcel of land south of Louisville, which was found not to have flooded during the Ohio River flood of 1937. It was named after Dr Elisha David Standiford, a local businessman and politician who was active in transportation issues and owned part of the land. The field remained under the control of the Army until 1947, when it was turned over to the Louisville Air Board for commercial operations.
Louisville International Airport is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States. It is also the sixth-busiest in the world by cargo traffic. The airport features three concrete runways, two of which are parallel, and one crosswind. The airport is currently undergoing a $400 million terminal improvement project, which includes a new 10-lane security checkpoint, geothermal technology, and a new airport operations centre.
The airport offers 52 nonstop flights and provides direct service to 37 destinations across the US. It has also been recognised as an easy-to-navigate airport with friendly staff, good food, and clean facilities.
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The airport is the sixth-busiest cargo airport in the world
Louisville International Airport, also known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. The airport's three-letter code is SDF, derived from its former name, Standiford Field.
In 2020, the airport was ranked the fifth-busiest cargo airport in the world and the third-busiest in North America, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World's preliminary World Airport Traffic Report. The following year, it moved up to fourth place globally, ranking behind only Hong Kong, Memphis, and Shanghai.
The airport's high ranking in cargo operations is attributed to its role as the heart of UPS's worldwide air network. In 2020, the airport handled more than 6.43 billion pounds (2,971,243 metric tons) of cargo, a 4.6% increase over the previous year. This growth rate outpaced other major international airports, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Incheon (Seoul).
The airport's cargo operations have continued to show gains, driven by the increasing demand for online goods during the global pandemic. The strong partnership between the airport and UPS Worldport, one of the largest package-handling facilities globally, has been instrumental in its success.
The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport's cargo operations have had a significant economic impact, contributing approximately $10.4 billion annually to the region and supporting over 82,000 direct and indirect jobs. The airport's efficient operations and strategic partnerships have solidified its position as one of the world's leading cargo hubs.
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The airport has 52 nonstop flights
Louisville International Airport, also known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, offers 52 nonstop flights to 37 domestic destinations across the United States. The airport, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is currently undergoing a $400 million terminal improvement project, enhancing the overall airport experience. The airport's three-letter code, SDF, is derived from its former name, Standiford Field, which was changed in 1995.
SDF is a bustling airport, having served over 4.6 million passengers in 2023 and handling 6.7 billion pounds of cargo in 2022. It is the third-busiest cargo airport in the United States and the sixth busiest worldwide. The airport features three concrete runways, two of which are parallel, with the longest runway extended in 2007 to accommodate larger aircraft for nonstop flights to distant locations.
The airport's sole terminal provides a range of dining options, including the Book & Bourbon Southern Kitchen, offering a taste of Kentucky with its selection of over 85 bourbons. Passengers can also take advantage of the various parking options, including the parking garage and the Premier Lot East, both conveniently located within walking distance of the terminal.
SDF is easily accessible, with a rideshare pickup location on the west side of baggage claim and drop-off available on the upper or lower level of the terminal. The airport is well-known for its efficiency, with travellers commenting on the short wait times at TSA checkpoints, clean facilities, and convenient connecting flights to other destinations.
With its extensive cargo operations, nonstop flight offerings, and ongoing improvements, Louisville International Airport (SDF) plays a significant role in the region's aviation landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
The code for Louisville Airport, or Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is SDF.
The airport code comes from the airport's former name, Standiford Field, which was named after businessman and legislator Dr. Elisha David Standiford, who owned part of the land on which the airport was built.
The airport was renamed in honour of boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali in 2019. However, the code could not be changed to ALI as this code was already in use by Alice International Airport, located in Texas.






























