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Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is a commercial airport in Cascade Township, southeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The airport is owned by the Kent County Board of Commissioners and was originally named the Kent County Airport, dating back to the first air travel in Grand Rapids in the 1920s. The airport has been at its current location since the early 1960s, with the first airport breaking ground in 1919. The current airport opened on November 23, 1963, and was dedicated on June 6, 1964. In December 1999, the airport was renamed for Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, who represented Grand Rapids in the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date first established | 1919 |
| Operator | Kent County |
| Location | Cascade Township, approximately 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan, US |
| First scheduled flight route | Grand Rapids and Dearborn |
| Aircraft used for the first scheduled flight route | Ford-Stout monoplane, named Miss Grand Rapids |
| Year of first scheduled flight route | 1926 |
| Previous name(s) | Kent County Airport, Kent County International Airport |
| Current name | Gerald R. Ford International Airport |
| Year of renaming | 1999 |
| Owner | Kent County Board of Commissioners |
| Manager | An independent authority |
| Number of daily flights | More than 100 |
| Number of nonstop routes | 30+ |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport opened in 1919, owned and operated by Kent County
- It was renamed in 1999 after Gerald R. Ford, the 38th US President
- It's the second-busiest airport in Michigan
- The airport has undergone multiple expansion and improvement projects
- It's served by eight airlines, with more than 100 daily flights
The airport opened in 1919, owned and operated by Kent County
The history of air travel in Grand Rapids dates back to the early 20th century, with the first landing recorded in 1911 at Comstock Park State Fairgrounds. However, it was in 1919 that the airport, owned and operated by Kent County, officially opened four miles south of downtown Grand Rapids. This airport, established over a century ago, witnessed significant milestones in aviation, including one of the earliest scheduled flight routes in the United States in 1926 between Grand Rapids and Dearborn. The aircraft used for this historic route was a Ford-Stout monoplane, named "Miss Grand Rapids".
The airport played a crucial role during the war efforts in the 1940s, extensively used for pilot training. Following the war, both passenger and cargo services expanded, necessitating improvements to the airport facilities, including the addition of a new runway and control tower. As air travel gained popularity, the original airport faced constraints, leading to the decision to relocate to a nearby site in Cascade Township, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the airport.
In the early 1960s, construction commenced on the present-day airport, which opened its doors in 1963, with further developments and expansions continuing over the years. The airport underwent a transformation in 1999 when it was renamed the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, honouring the 38th President of the United States, who was born in Nebraska but raised in Grand Rapids. This renaming coincided with significant upgrades to the airport, including a $50 million renovation of the main passenger terminal.
Today, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is a bustling hub, serving over three million passengers annually and offering more than 100 daily flights and 30+ nonstop routes. It has been recognised for its excellence, receiving accolades for its cleanliness, enjoyable experience, and dedicated staff. The airport continues to evolve, with ongoing expansion projects, such as the Elevate program, aimed at enhancing the guest experience and accommodating the growing demand for air travel.
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It was renamed in 1999 after Gerald R. Ford, the 38th US President
The Grand Rapids airport was renamed in December 1999 after Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States. The airport was originally called the Kent County Airport, dating back to the first air travel in Grand Rapids in the 1920s. The facility is owned by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, and it was their vote that led to the airport's renaming.
Gerald R. Ford was born in Nebraska but raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He represented the Grand Rapids area in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973. After his death in 2006, his body was flown to the airport on a US Air Force Boeing VC-25 jet as part of his funeral services. He was then buried at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids the next day.
The airport in Grand Rapids is not the only location named after Gerald R. Ford. There is also the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, where the former president was laid to rest.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second-busiest airport in Michigan, after Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It is a commercial airport in Cascade Township, approximately 13 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. The airport has more than 100 daily flights and 30+ nonstop routes, serving nearly 4 million passengers in 2023.
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It's the second-busiest airport in Michigan
Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a busy hub, serving nearly 4 million passengers in 2023, a new record. It is the second-busiest airport in Michigan, after Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The airport's history dates back to the early days of aviation. The first landing in the area was recorded in 1911 when a Wright biplane touched down at Comstock Park State Fairgrounds. The first airport in Grand Rapids broke ground in 1919, and the first scheduled air service began in 1926, operating between Grand Rapids and Dearborn. The airport has seen many improvements and expansions over the years, including new runways, a new restaurant, and remodelling of the administration building. In the 1940s, it played a role in the war effort, extensively used for pilot training.
The airport's location shifted a few miles east to Cascade Township in the early 1960s, and it was dedicated in 1964. The facility was originally named Kent County Airport, reflecting its ownership by Kent County. However, in December 1999, it was renamed Gerald R. Ford International Airport to honour the 38th President of the United States, who was born in Nebraska but raised in Grand Rapids. The airport has continued to expand and improve, with new routes, construction projects, and initiatives.
Today, the airport offers more than 100 daily flights and over 30 nonstop routes, serving as a critical gateway for West Michigan. It has been recognised for its exceptional travel experience, being named the best airport in North America in its size category by Airports Council International. The airport's recent focus, Project Elevate, includes a $90 million expansion of Concourse A, a new air traffic control tower, and a federal inspection station to facilitate international flights.
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The airport has undergone multiple expansion and improvement projects
In 1999, the airport was renamed Gerald R. Ford International Airport, after the 38th President of the United States, who represented Grand Rapids in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973. Around the same time, the airport underwent a $50 million renovation of its main passenger terminal, and the main 8R/26L runway was rebuilt. In 2019, the airport announced Project Elevate, a $90 million expansion and extension of Concourse A, including the addition of eight new gates, a new air traffic control tower, and a federal inspection station to facilitate international flights. The Elevate expansion aims to enhance the guest experience and position the airport for continued growth, with a total estimated cost of $600 million.
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It's served by eight airlines, with more than 100 daily flights
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is served by eight airlines, offering more than 100 daily flights and over 30 non-stop routes to destinations across the United States. It is a small hub airport, covering 3,127 acres, and is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving nearly 4 million passengers in 2023. The airport is owned by the Kent County Board of Commissioners and is managed by an independent authority.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of aviation. The first airport in Grand Rapids broke ground in November 1919, four miles south of downtown, and the first scheduled air service began in 1926, operating between Grand Rapids and Dearborn. The airport has since undergone several relocations and expansions to accommodate growing demand. In the 1940s, it played a role in World War II efforts, being used extensively for pilot training. After the war, both passenger and cargo services expanded, along with airport facilities, including new runways and a control tower.
In the 1960s, the airport moved to its current location in Cascade Township, several miles east of the previous site. The new airport opened in November 1963 and has since undergone significant upgrades and expansions. In 1999, it was renamed Gerald R. Ford International Airport to honour the 38th President of the United States, who was born in Nebraska but raised in Grand Rapids. The airport has continued to grow and improve, with recent projects including the Elevate expansion programme, which includes a $90 million expansion of Concourse A, a new air traffic control tower, and a federal inspection station to facilitate international flights.
The airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including dining options, shopping, and convenient parking. It also provides easy access to downtown Grand Rapids and other nearby destinations via public transportation. With its continuous growth and improvements, Gerald R. Ford International Airport plays a crucial role in the region's prosperity and development, providing a gateway to and from Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
The Grand Rapids Airport, now known as the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, was first established in 1919.
The original name of the airport was the Kent County Airport.
The Kent County Airport was renamed in December 1999 to honour Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States.
The airport is owned by the Kent County Board of Commissioners and is managed by an independent authority.
Construction on the current airport site in Cascade Township began in 1959, and it opened on 23 November 1963.
