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The
Greater Rockford Airport
Established
as one of the nation’s fastest growing cargo airports, the Greater
Rockford Airport is open to expansion.
 Just
65 miles northwest of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport,
the Greater Rockford Airport (RFD) is showing its capabilities and willingness
to become a release valve for the congested air traffic around Chicago.
Already established as one of the nation’s fastest growing cargo
airports, the Greater Rockford Airport is always open to expansion of
its available commercial flights. Additional passenger-air carriers
are continually being sought to add to its services. Travelers find
that getting to and from the airport is no problem, with easy highway
access, ample parking and local limosine service. Several charter services
and bases for both corporate and privately-owned aircraft round out
the current air travel functions.
Rockford’s airport is fully equipped with runways of 10,000 and
8,200 feet in length. RFD is home to the largest regional UPS Air Hub
in the nation. RFD also offers one of the most sophisticated Landing
Systems used in the world today. This Category III Instrument landing
system, combined with the length of its runways, allows RFD to land
any aircraft — even under the most adverse weather conditions.
RFD is a U.S. Customs Port of Entry and a Foreign Trade Zone, with public
warehousing facilities available. With parcel distribution services,
including United Parcel Service, Emery Worldwide Air Charter, Airborne
Express, and BAX Global, the Greater Rockford Airport handles cargo
from coast to coast, around the clock.
James Loomis, Executive Director of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority,
is proud of the growth of the airport. “Over the past six years,
$160 million has been poured into runway, facility, and infrastructure
improvements,” Loomis said. The airport’s substantial commitment
to major capital projects has improved and perfected the efficiency
and safety to incoming and exiting flights. The modern atrium-styled
passenger terminal has 65,000 square feet of space with room for expansion
to 20 gates. “This expansion potential and room for growth is what
attracted me to this area,” Loomis said.
Improvements to the airport lure other businesses to locate here. And
those businesses also attract other businesses. “The improvement
and expansion projects will continue,” added Loomis. “Other
plans are in development now."
Rockford’s UPS Air Hub
In 1994, Rockford’s UPS Air Hub opened at the Greater Rockford
Airport. The 520,000-square-foot facility became home to over 1,000
employees who can sort 80,000 packages per hour. A hub that boasts
of brisk activity, the facility processes 130,000 to 170,000 packages
nightly and logs 34 flights in and out of Rockford each day. The
Rockford UPS Air Hub has ramp parking for 30 aircraft and a 2 million
gallon fuel storage facility. It is the largest UPS regional air
hub in the nation.
Other Airport Services
In 1995, the Greater Rockford Airport became a U.S. Customs Port
of Entry, changing its status from a user-fee airport. It also is
a grantee for Foreign Trade Zone #176. Public warehousing facilities
are available along with developed land for expansion. Currently,
the airport houses 30 industrial tenants.
Numerous services provide access to the airport for freight and
passengers. Major Interstate highways connect the Airport to the
rest of the nation. Abundant, free and paid parking is provided
for travelers and businesses. Avis Rent-A-Car, Hertz Rent-A-Car,and
National Car Rental maintain facilities at the airport.
The Future
The future for the Greater Rockford Airport looks bright. Steady
growth will ensure that development continues. The Greater Rockford
Airport Authority oversees the operation by managing and maintaining
a safe and efficient air transportation facility. |
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