Maryland's Airport Location: A Guide To The State's Aviation Hub

where is the airport for md

Maryland is home to several airports, including the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, which serves as a gateway to the Baltimore-Washington region. This airport is known for its convenient parking, modern terminal, and efficient operations. Another notable airport in Maryland is the Martin State Airport, located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. Martin State Airport caters primarily to general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement, and military aircraft. It also supports flight schools and other aviation-related services, contributing significantly to the state's economy. Both of these airports play a crucial role in facilitating travel and supporting the aviation industry in Maryland.

Characteristics Values
Location Maryland, US
Airport Name BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
Airport Type Public
Airports in Maryland Martin State Airport, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

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BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

In terms of passenger traffic, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, ranking 23rd in the United States. The airport also serves as one of the operating bases for Southwest Airlines. To accommodate their extensive presence, Concourses A and B were expanded and renovated, with the new integrated facility opening in 2005.

A proposed renovation and expansion project announced in October 2022 is set to be the largest capital project in the airport's history. It includes significant upgrades to the baggage handling system and the renovation and expansion of the A/B Connector, providing a direct connection between Concourses A and B.

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Martin State Airport

The airport covers an area of 747 acres at an elevation of 21 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway, 6,997 by 180 feet, and one helipad, 65 by 65 feet. In the 12 months leading up to October 11, 2022, the airport saw 87,130 aircraft operations, an average of 239 per day, with 94% general aviation, 2% military, and 3% air taxi. During this period, 241 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, glider, and military aircraft.

In the 1990s, the airport was targeted for the extension of the MD route 43 highway from I-95 directly to the terminal. The Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing is also a tenant activity at the airport, with locally based A-10C aircraft.

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Public and private-use airports

Maryland has several airports catering to public and private use. The BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is a prominent airport in Maryland, serving as a gateway to the Baltimore-Washington region. It offers conveniences such as low fares, modern terminals, and convenient parking. Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. is the appointed leader of this airport.

Another notable public-use airport is the Martin State Airport, situated about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. This airport primarily serves general aviation, encompassing corporate, private, law enforcement, and military aircraft. Additionally, it facilitates flight schools and other aviation-related services. The Maryland Transportation Secretary, Paul J. Wiedefeld, has announced plans for a new air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport, emphasizing safety and strategic investments for the state's economy.

Maryland also has a classification system for its airports. Primary airports are publicly owned and experience significant passenger traffic, with more than 10,000 annual enplanements. These are further categorized into four "hub" types by the FAA: Large, Medium, Small, and Nonhub, based on their share of total US passenger enplanements. Commercial service-nonprimary airports are also publicly owned but have a lower passenger count of at least 2,500 annually. Reliever airports, as the name suggests, relieve congestion at large commercial airports and enhance general aviation access for the community.

While the focus is on public-use airports, it is worth noting that Maryland also includes some private-use airports. These private airports may still be included in official records and lists, especially if they were previously public-use, have recorded commercial enplanements, or have been assigned an IATA airport code.

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Military airports

Military aircraft are served by a number of airports in Maryland. The Martin State Airport, located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore, is a public-use airport that primarily serves general aviation, including military aircraft. The airport is also a federally designated reliever airport, helping to divert non-commercial air traffic from the nearby BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The BWI Marshall Airport, located just 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore, is the busiest airport in the region.

The Lee Airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is another public-use airport that serves military aircraft. It is located about five nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Annapolis and is privately owned by the Lee Airport Authority in Edgewater, Maryland.

The Tipton Airport, a public airport located just south of Fort George G. Meade in Odenton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is also bordered by the National Security Agency.

Additionally, the Philips Army Airfield, located at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, Maryland, is a US Army airfield with three asphalt-paved runways. This joint civil-military public-use airport is located about nine nautical miles east of the central business district of Baltimore and is operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration on behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation.

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Former airports

Maryland has a variety of public-use and military airports. Some former airports in Maryland include:

Friendship Airport, also known as Baltimore Municipal Airport, was the first airport to serve Baltimore, Maryland. It opened in 1929 and was the fourth-busiest airport in the world in 1946. However, it was replaced by the Baltimore-Washington International Airport in 1950 and subsequently demolished.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport, also known as Friendship International Airport, served as the primary airport for Baltimore and Washington, D.C., from 1950 to 1972. It was renamed Baltimore-Washington International Airport in 1973 and continues to operate today as a busy international airport.

Washington Executive Airport, formerly known as Hyde Field, is located in Clinton, Maryland. It primarily serves general aviation and is a popular choice for charter flights and private pilots.

College Park Airport, located in Prince George's County, Maryland, is notable for being the world's oldest continuously operating airport. It was founded in 1909 and remains active today, mainly serving general aviation and small aircraft operations.

These former airports have played significant roles in Maryland's aviation history, and some continue to contribute to the state's aviation infrastructure in different capacities.

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Frequently asked questions

The BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is located in Maryland.

The Martin State Airport is a public airport located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore.

It primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement, and military aircraft.

Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. is the leader of the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

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