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Toledo Express Airport, officially Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, is a civil-military airport in Swanton and Monclova townships, 10 miles west of Toledo in western Lucas County, Ohio, United States. The airport, which opened in 1954, is used by passenger and cargo airlines, general aviation, and is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing. In 2018, air travel through Toledo Express Airport increased by more than 22% for its sixth straight year of growth, with total passenger service reaching 241,299. However, the airport has faced challenges due to its proximity to larger airports, such as Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and has struggled to attract and retain airlines. Currently, the airport offers flights to various destinations through major airlines, including American Airlines and Allegiant Air, and continues to work on enhancing and expanding its air service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport |
| Airport Code | TOL |
| Location | Swanton and Monclova townships, 10 miles west of Toledo, western Lucas County, Ohio, US |
| Airport Type | Civil-military airport |
| Year of Opening | 1954-55 |
| Airlines | Sierra West Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, US Air, Air Wisconsin, Comair, Piedmont Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, United Express |
| Destinations | Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Dayton, Ohio, San Francisco, Cleveland, Denver |
| Passenger Traffic | 179,911 (in 2015), 241,299 (in 2018) |
| Cargo Services | Toledo Express served as the main North American hub for DB Schenker until September 2011 |
| Financials | Received $3 million from the federal CARES Act during the Covid-19 pandemic and a $5 million safety grant in 2023 |
| Employment | Supported over 2,900 jobs in 2021 |
| Economic Impact | Generated over $581 million in economic output in the Toledo Region in 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Airlines that fly from Toledo Express Airport
Toledo Express Airport has seen its fair share of airlines come and go over the years. The airport experienced a boom in the 1980s and 1990s, with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights daily to 14 destinations. However, by 2011, only two airlines remained, and the airport saw a decline in passenger numbers as many opted to drive to nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport instead.
Despite this, Toledo Express Airport has shown resilience and a slow growth in passenger numbers since 2012. In 2015, the airport recorded its third consecutive year of growth, reaching 179,911 passengers. This upward trend continued, and in 2018, the airport saw a 22% increase in air travel, with a total of 241,299 passengers.
Several factors attract airlines to choose Toledo Express Airport. The airport boasts low operating costs and no current operational restrictions, making it an attractive option for carriers. Additionally, the airport has a manageable size, making it easier to navigate for passengers.
Over the years, various airlines have operated from Toledo Express Airport. Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways were among the carriers that previously offered flights from the airport. In 2012, Allegiant Air announced new twice-weekly service from Toledo Express to Punta Gorda, Florida, replacing the previous service provided by Direct Air. However, as of September 6, 2022, American Airlines' Envoy Air service to Chicago O'Hare Airport ended, marking the conclusion of legacy airline passenger service at the airport.
While the airport currently experiences staffing shortages and limited resources, it continues to play a vital role in the region's economy. In 2021, the airport supported over 2,900 jobs and contributed more than $581 million in economic output to the Toledo Region.
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The airport's history
Toledo Express Airport, officially Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport (IATA: TOL, ICAO: KTOL, FAA LID: TOL), is a civil-military airport in Swanton and Monclova townships, about 10 miles (16 km) west of Toledo in western Lucas County, Ohio, United States. The airport opened in 1954-1955 as a replacement for the Toledo Municipal Airport (now known as Toledo Executive Airport), which was deemed inadequate by civic leaders after World War II.
A consortium of six major Toledo companies acquired the site of Toledo Express Airport in 1952 and sold the land to the city at cost. The airport has been operated by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority under a lease agreement with the City of Toledo since its opening. Toledo Express is conveniently located near the intersection of State Route 2 and the Ohio Turnpike (Interstate 80/Interstate 90, exit 52).
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the airport thrived with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights per day to 14 destinations. Traffic peaked in 1997, with 679,841 passenger enplanements, attributed partly to AirTran Airways offering low-cost flights to Orlando, Florida. However, a decline followed as passengers opted for the nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), a major hub.
By 2011, all but two airlines had discontinued their services, and traffic hit a low point in 2012. Since then, the airport has experienced a slow but steady recovery. In recent years, passenger numbers have been on the rise again, with a 22% increase in 2018, bringing the total passenger count to 241,299. The airport has also received financial support, including grants to enhance safety and operations, ensuring its continued growth and improvement.
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Passenger numbers
Toledo Express Airport, officially Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, is a civil-military airport in Ohio, United States. The airport is used by passenger and cargo airlines, as well as general aviation, and is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Toledo Express Airport saw considerable airline service, with up to seven airlines operating over 40 flights per day to 14 destinations. Traffic peaked in 1997 and then began to decline as passengers started driving to the nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). By 2011, all but two airlines had discontinued service, and in 2012, passenger traffic hit a low point. However, the airport began to see slow growth after that, and in 2015, it recorded its third consecutive year of passenger growth, reaching 179,911 passengers.
Toledo Express Airport's passenger numbers continued to grow, and in 2018, it saw a 22% increase in air travel, with a total of 241,299 passengers. This growth was attributed to the increasing service to and from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. The airport has a low operating cost, and there are no operational restrictions for airlines to offer new services. However, it faces competition from larger nearby airports like Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and airlines consider the success of current routes and community support when deciding whether to offer new services.
In recent years, there have been discussions about the future of Toledo Express Airport and its competition with nearby larger airports. Some community members have expressed a preference for flying out of Toledo Express if the prices are comparable to those of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. However, others have noted that the proximity to Detroit makes it challenging for Toledo Express to attract more flights and compete for limited resources.
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Cargo operations
Toledo Express Airport serves as the headquarters and ground cargo hub for BX Solutions. The airport was previously the main North American hub for DB Schenker, an international air cargo company, from 1993 until September 2011. DB Schenker leased a 300,000-square-foot warehouse facility with direct access to the runways at Toledo Express. They operated approximately 20 flights on average, with a peak of 42 flights per night from across the United States. In 2009, Toledo Express was the 22nd busiest cargo hub in North America, handling 241,472 tons of cargo.
The airport features an 81-acre air ramp on the south side that is used for air cargo operations, storage, ground shipping, and aircraft diversions. There is also a common-use air cargo and cold storage building located on the north side of the airfield, near the passenger terminal.
Toledo Express Airport has a low operating cost and no operational restrictions for carriers, making it attractive for airlines to establish new services. The airport has seen fluctuations in airline service over the years, with a decline in the early 2010s but a subsequent recovery, with increasing passenger numbers in recent years.
The airport's catchment area includes Northwest Ohio, and it is important for business travel to and from the region's largest employers. The Port Authority works closely with aviation consultants and airline representatives to enhance air service development and attract new airlines.
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Future prospects
The future prospects of Toledo Express Airport are a topic of discussion and speculation. The airport has faced challenges in recent years, including a decline in passenger traffic and the loss of airline services. However, there are also positive signs and opportunities for the airport's future development.
One challenge for the airport is its proximity to larger airports, such as Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), which offers more flight options and attracts passengers from the region. This has resulted in a decrease in passenger traffic at Toledo Express Airport, with many passengers opting to drive to nearby Detroit instead. However, Toledo Express Airport still serves as a secondary airport for Detroit and the surrounding region, including as a primary diversion point for DTW.
To improve its prospects, the airport has been actively pursuing new airline partnerships and service developments. The Port Authority, along with aviation consultants, presents data and information to airlines on travel preferences, catchment areas, demographics, and destination preferences to attract new airlines and retain existing ones. Financial incentives are also offered to airlines to help establish new services, with support from state and federal programs.
Toledo Express Airport has several advantages that could enhance its future prospects. The airport has a low operating cost, no operational restrictions for new carriers, and ample capacity for expansion. Additionally, the airport has received financial support for upgrades and safety enhancements, including grants totalling nearly $8 million during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community support and demand for additional flight options are also crucial for the airport's future. Passengers in the Toledo region have expressed a desire for more frequent flights and nonstop routes to their favourite destinations. While airlines ultimately choose which airports to serve, the support and demand from the community can influence their decisions.
In conclusion, while Toledo Express Airport faces competition from nearby larger airports, its low operating costs, expansion capacity, and financial support present opportunities for future growth. The airport's ability to attract new airline partnerships and respond to community demands for additional flight options will be key factors in shaping its future prospects.
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Frequently asked questions
Toledo Express Airport is a civil-military airport in Ohio, USA. Airlines that fly out of Toledo Express Airport include United Airlines, USAir, American Eagle Airlines, and Allegiant Air.
Toledo Express Airport connects to destinations such as Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Dayton, and San Francisco. The airport also offers flights to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, which has seen a boost in air travel through Toledo Express Airport.
Due to its proximity to larger airports, passengers may opt to drive to nearby Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) or catch a car ride up to DTW instead of flying out of Toledo Express Airport.
