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While all 50 US states have airports, some have very few commercial airports. Delaware was the only US state without any scheduled commercial airline flights during five periods since 1990. The state's largest city, Wilmington, is just 23 minutes from Philadelphia Airport, one of the biggest hubs for American Airlines. Similarly, Vermont has the fewest number of commercial airports of any US state, with only two that fit the FAA certification criteria.
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What You'll Learn
- Delaware had no commercial flights for several periods since 1990
- Vermont has the fewest commercial airports
- Wilmington Airport is Delaware's first airport with airline flights
- Vermont's proximity to large airports lessens the need for its own airport facilities
- DC doesn't have an airport within its boundaries
Delaware had no commercial flights for several periods since 1990
Delaware, the second smallest state in the US, has experienced the absence of scheduled commercial airline flights for several periods since the 1990s. During five periods since 1990, Delaware has been the only US state without any scheduled commercial airline flights. These periods include:
- 1993 through 1998
- 2000 to 2006
- April 2008 until June 30, 2013
- April 2015 to February 2021
- June 2022 to January 2023
The absence of commercial flights in Delaware can be attributed to its geographical location and the lack of a major airport capable of accommodating scheduled commercial flights. However, the state has several privately-owned airports that cater to smaller aircraft. Wilmington Airport in New Castle, Delaware, is the primary airport in the state. It is owned by New Castle County and operated under a lease agreement with the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA). The airport has experienced periodic interruptions in commercial flight service, with the most recent resumption occurring in February 2023 through Avelo Airlines.
The proximity of Delaware to major airports in neighboring states, such as Philadelphia International Airport, has also contributed to the lack of demand for an airport within the state. Over half of Delaware's population is within a short distance of Philadelphia's airport, making it convenient for travelers to utilize this option. Despite the challenges posed by the absence of consistent commercial flight service, Delaware remains a popular destination, attracting visitors with its unique attractions and historical charm.
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Vermont has the fewest commercial airports
While each state in the US has at least one commercial airport, some have very few such facilities. Vermont has the fewest commercial airports of any US state, with just one airport requiring certification. Population size is not the only determining factor for the number of commercial airports in a state. Other considerations, such as proximity to major airports in neighbouring states, also play a role. Vermont's proximity to large airports in New York, Massachusetts, and other adjacent states reduces the need for airport facilities within the state.
The Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in Vermont is served by United Airlines and JetBlue. It was recently announced that Breeze Airways will provide non-stop service to Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport. The airport's history dates back to 1920 when it was a small airstrip known as Burlington Municipal Airport. It currently operates as a joint-use civil-military aviation facility and is classified as a "nonhub" by the FAA, meaning it accounts for less than 0.05% of total US passenger enplanements but has more than 10,000 annual enplanements.
Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire each have two commercial airports that fit the FAA certification criteria. Delaware's two airports are the Dover Civil Air Terminal and Wilmington Airport. The former is co-located at Dover Air Force Base and provides non-military aircraft access to the base's runways and taxiways. The latter is served by Avelo Airlines and had 5,000 enplanements in 2022. New Hampshire's largest airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located less than 50 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. It is served by several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
While Vermont has the fewest commercial airports, it is important to note that the number of airports in a state is influenced by various factors beyond population size, such as the proximity to major airports in neighbouring states.
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Wilmington Airport is Delaware's first airport with airline flights
While each state in the US has at least one commercial airport, some states have very few such facilities. Vermont, for instance, has the fewest number of commercial airports of any US state. Its proximity to large airports in neighbouring states, such as New York and Massachusetts, lessens the need for airport facilities.
In contrast, Delaware, which is served by Avelo Airlines, has two commercial airports that fit the FAA certification criteria. One of these is Wilmington Airport (IATA: ILG, ICAO: KILG, FAA LID: ILG), formerly known as New Castle Airport. It is located in unincorporated New Castle County, about 30 miles (50 km) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 5 miles (8 km) south of Wilmington.
Wilmington Airport was once served by Delta Air Lines, which operated flights from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. However, Delta Air Lines ended these flights in 2007, leaving the airport without any airline service until 2008, when Skybus Airlines began Airbus A319 jet flights from Columbus, Ohio, and Greensboro, North Carolina, to Wilmington. Unfortunately, Skybus ceased all operations in 2008, once again leaving Wilmington Airport without any airline service.
In 2013, Frontier Airlines began Airbus A320 jet service at Wilmington, initially offering flights to Denver, Chicago-Midway, Houston-Hobby, and Orlando. In 2021, Frontier Airlines restarted its service between Wilmington and Orlando, but this service ended in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Wilmington Airport has continued to develop. In 2024, American Airlines announced it would establish a connecting bus service to Philadelphia International Airport, operated by its bus service partner, Landline. This service is ticketed and operated as an airline flight, providing a convenient connection to a major hub for American Airlines. In 2023, Avelo Airlines also announced it would be opening a new base at Wilmington-New Castle Airport, with the addition of five new nonstop destinations in Florida.
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Vermont's proximity to large airports lessens the need for its own airport facilities
Vermont has the fewest commercial airports of any US state. Its proximity to large airports in New York, Massachusetts, and other adjacent states lessens the need for its own airport facilities. For example, Southern Vermont can be easily reached via Albany International Airport (ALB) in New York.
Vermont's largest airport, Burlington International Airport (BTV), is located in the northern part of the state near Lake Champlain. It is served by United Airlines and JetBlue, and it recently added a non-stop service to Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport, provided by Breeze Airways. The Rutland–Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT) is another small regional airport in Vermont, providing access to vacation spots like Killington, Woodstock, and Stratton.
Vermont's proximity to major airports in neighboring states means that population size is not the primary factor in determining the number of commercial airports in a state. Other factors, such as the convenience of nearby airports, play a more significant role. This is further evidenced by the fact that states like Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire, which have smaller populations than Vermont, each have two commercial airports that fit the FAA certification criteria.
While Vermont has a limited number of commercial airports, it does have several small airports that support private, charter, and general aviation flights. These smaller airports are located in various towns across the state, including Newport, Swanton, Lyndonville, North Clarendon, and Island Pond.
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DC doesn't have an airport within its boundaries
While Washington, DC, is served by several airports, it does not have any public airports within its boundaries. The closest airport to DC is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), located just across the Potomac River in Virginia. This airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations on eight airlines and is easily accessible via the Blue and Yellow Metro lines.
Other major airports in the region include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Dulles Airport is the primary international airport for the DC region, serving nearly 157 nonstop domestic and international destinations on approximately 40 airlines. It is connected to DC via the Metro's Silver line, with each ride taking about an hour and costing $6.75.
In addition to these three major airports, there are other smaller or defunct airports that have served or continue to serve the DC area. For example, College Park Airport (CGS) is the oldest public airport still operating in the United States, serving the College Park/Riverdale Park/University Park area. There is also the now-defunct Washington-Hoover Airport, which served Washington, DC, from 1933 to 1941.
While DC itself does not have an airport within its boundaries, the region is well-connected to several major airports in the surrounding areas, providing convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are thousands of airports in the US. However, some states do not have commercial airports or commercial flights.
Delaware was the only state without commercial flights until recently. Wilmington, the largest city in Delaware, is 23 minutes from Philadelphia Airport, which serves most of the state's population.
Yes, there are several US capitals without scheduled flights, including Frankfort, Kentucky; Topeka, Kansas; Annapolis, Maryland; Carson City, Nevada; and Montpelier, Vermont.
The largest metropolitan areas in the US without scheduled commercial air service are Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, and Ogden, UT.
