Dover Airport: Which State Does It Belong To?

what state is dover airport in

Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT) is a joint civil-military airport located in Dover, Delaware. It is one of five regional airports in the state that are managed by the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA). Dover AFB's runways are the longest in the state of Delaware and serve as the home of the 436th and 512th airlift wings.

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Dover Civil Air Terminal is a joint civil-military airport in Dover, Delaware

The Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT) is a joint civil-military airport situated in Dover, Delaware. It is one of five regional airports overseen by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) and is run in line with a Joint-Use Agreement (JUA) with the United States Air Force. CAT is a civilian-use terminal and aircraft parking apron located next to the Dover Air Force Base (DOV). Dover AFB's runways are the longest in Delaware and are home to the 436th and 512th airlift wings.

CAT is an excellent alternative for larger corporate and air carrier aircraft operators that cannot utilise the DRBA's general aviation airport, Delaware Airpark Airport (33N). Civil aircraft must obtain clearance to land at CAT. The airport is FAA FAR Part 139 certified, which means it has met specific standards for airport design, operations, and management.

The state of Delaware is home to several airports, including public-use, military, and private-use airfields. From 2008 to 2013, Delaware was the only US state without any airports in the FAA's "commercial service" category, defined as having 2,500 or more annual boardings. However, in recent years, Wilmington Airport has resumed commercial service, offering scheduled passenger flights.

The Dover Civil Air Terminal plays a crucial role in supporting both civilian and military aviation needs in the region. Its proximity to the Dover Air Force Base and its compliance with the Joint-Use Agreement ensure a balanced utilisation of the airport facilities. With its lengthy runways and strategic location in Dover, Delaware, CAT serves as a vital aviation hub for the state and the wider region.

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Dover AFB Passenger Terminal has Delaware's longest runways

Dover Air Force Base (Dover AFB) is located in the state of Delaware. It is served by three highway exits with Delaware Route 1, which provide quick access to Dover and southern Delaware. Dover AFB is a significant economic contributor to the city of Dover, generating almost $470 million in annual revenue.

The Dover AFB Passenger Terminal boasts Delaware's longest runways. The base has two runways: Runway 14/32, which measures 12,903 feet in length, and Runway 1/19, which spans 9,600 feet. These runways are essential for the base's high volume of aircraft operations, averaging 123,735 per year, or approximately 339 per day.

Runway 14/32 is a massive asphalt and concrete surface, accommodating large aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster. The length of this runway is notable, even by military aviation standards. Runway 1/19, while shorter, still requires periodic repairs to maintain its operational capability, as evidenced by its closure for repairs in 2015.

The Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT), a joint civil-military airport located at Dover AFB, also utilizes these runways. The CAT is operated by the Delaware River & Bay Authority and caters to larger corporate and air carrier aircraft that require longer runways. The presence of Delaware's longest runways at Dover AFB Passenger Terminal enhances its strategic importance for military and civil aviation in the state.

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Delaware's airports are grouped by type and sorted by location

Delaware is a US state that is home to a variety of airports, both public and military. From 2008 to 2013, Delaware was the only US state without any airports in the FAA category of commercial service. This changed in 2013 when Wilmington Airport began offering scheduled commercial airline passenger service, although this has since ceased.

Delaware's airports can be grouped into types, such as public-use and military airports, with public-use airports further divided into commercial and non-commercial airports. Private-use airports are not administered by the state of Delaware. One example of a public-use airport in Delaware is Wilmington Airport, which has offered commercial service intermittently since 2013.

Military airports in Delaware include the Dover Air Force Base (DOV), which is located in Dover, the state's capital. Adjacent to the Dover Air Force Base is the Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT), a civilian-use terminal operated by the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA). The CAT serves as an alternative for larger corporate and air carrier aircraft operators that cannot use the Delaware River & Bay Authority's general aviation airport, Delaware Airpark Airport (33N).

General aviation airports, such as the Delaware Airpark Airport, are the largest single group of airports in the US airport system. These airports cater to smaller aircraft and typically offer services such as fuel, maintenance, and hangar space.

When it comes to location, Delaware's airports are scattered across the state. For example, Wilmington Airport is located in the city of Wilmington, while the Dover Air Force Base and the Dover Civil Air Terminal are located in the capital, Dover.

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Delaware's airports are further classified by the FAA as primary or non-primary

Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT) is a joint civil-military airport located in Dover, Delaware. Dover AFB's runways are the longest in the state of Delaware and serve as home to the 436th and 512th airlift wings. Delaware has various airports, both public and military, and some private-use airports are also included where notable.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) categorizes airports by type of activity, including commercial service, primary, cargo service, reliever, and general aviation airports. The FAA further classifies Delaware's airports as primary or non-primary.

Primary airports are commercial service airports that have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year. They are further divided into four subcategories: large, medium, small, and non-hub airports, based on the percentage of enplanements each year compared to total national enplanements.

Non-primary airports include non-primary commercial service, reliever, and general aviation airports. These airports are identified by their role in the national airport system based on their activity. There are five roles: national, regional, local, basic, and unclassified. Non-primary commercial service airports mostly serve general aviation (GA) aircraft but do have limited commercial service. Reliever airports are often found in large metropolitan areas, providing additional regional capacity where nearby airports primarily serve larger commercial air service aircraft.

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The FAA's primary airports are further divided into four hub types

Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT) is a joint civil-military airport located at Dover AFB in Dover, Delaware. Dover AFB's runways are the longest in the state of Delaware. Dover AFB requires civil aircraft to have clearance to land at CAT.

The FAA's primary airports are further categorized based on hub type, with four subsets:

  • Large hub primary airports: These airports account for at least 1% of total passenger boardings within the United States. They are the busiest airports in the country, serving a large volume of passengers and offering extensive flight connections. Examples of large hub primary airports include John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  • Medium hub primary airports: Airports in this category handle between 0.25% and 1% of annual passenger boardings nationwide. While they may not have the same volume of passengers as large hubs, they still play a significant role in air transportation by connecting medium-sized cities and regions.
  • Small hub primary airports: Small hub primary airports account for between 0.05% and 0.25% of total passenger boardings in the US. These airports often serve smaller communities and regions, providing essential air travel options for people in rural or less populated areas.
  • Non-hub primary airports: Airports in this category have more than 10,000 passenger boardings per year but account for less than 0.05% of total passenger boardings nationwide. They may serve specific regions or cater to niche aviation needs, such as corporate or private aviation.

These hub categories are essential for the FAA's airport classification system, which helps determine eligibility for funding through the federal government's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The system also ensures that airports are managed effectively, providing the necessary services and infrastructure to meet the demands of their respective hub types.

Frequently asked questions

Dover Airport is in Dover, Delaware.

The Dover Civil Air Terminal (CAT) is a joint civil-military airport located at Dover AFB in Dover, Delaware. CAT is a civilian-use terminal and aircraft parking apron located adjacent to the Dover Air Force Base.

Dover AFB's runways are the longest in the state of Delaware.

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