Inside Chicago Rockford International Airport - Rockford, Illinois скачать в хорошем качестве

Inside Chicago Rockford International Airport - Rockford, Illinois

Chicago Rockford International Airport (IATA: RFD, ICAO: KRFD, FAA LID: RFD) — most commonly referred to as Rockford International Airport or simply RFD — has become one of the most important aviation hubs in the Midwest. Located in Rockford, Illinois, about 68 miles (109 km) northwest of downtown Chicago, the airport has steadily grown from its military origins into a modern cargo powerhouse and passenger alternative for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Today, RFD is classified by the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems as a non-hub primary commercial service facility. It is the third-busiest airport in Illinois behind O’Hare and Midway and has carved out a unique niche. On the passenger side, the airport is primarily served by Allegiant Air, which offers low-cost flights to seven leisure destinations. But it is in cargo operations where Rockford has achieved global recognition. Handling more than 3.4 billion pounds (1.5 million tonnes) of cargo annually, RFD ranks as the 14th-busiest cargo airport in the United States. Both UPS Airlines and Amazon Air operate major hubs here, and recent years have seen new international cargo flights linking Rockford to Europe and Asia. Military Roots and Founding The airport’s history is tied directly to Camp Grant, a massive U.S. Army training facility established in 1917. Camp Grant was one of the largest training grounds in the nation during both World Wars, hosting medical personnel, infantry trainees, and even prisoners of war. After World War II ended, the camp was shut down permanently in 1946. That same year, the Greater Rockford Airport Authority was created under Illinois’ new Airport Authority Act. In 1948, the federal government transferred 1,500 acres of the former Camp Grant land to the authority, laying the foundation for Rockford’s airport. Construction began in 1954, and by the mid-20th century, Rockford had its own functioning civilian airfield. Transition to Civilian Aviation The first passenger flights arrived in 1950 with Mid-Continent Airlines, quickly followed by Braniff and Ozark Airlines. Over the following decades, Rockford maintained sporadic passenger service but increasingly leaned into its cargo potential. In 1974, the last of the old Camp Grant buildings on airport grounds were demolished. In 1987, a new passenger terminal was built to attract airlines. While Rockford occasionally hosted service to O’Hare and other Midwestern cities, passengers often chose to drive or take bus services directly into Chicago. By 2001, all scheduled service had disappeared. However, a major turning point came in 1994, when UPS Airlines opened a large cargo hub at RFD. With its strategic location between major interstates and close to Chicago, the airport was perfectly suited for freight operations. The investment by UPS transformed Rockford into a logistics hub, paving the way for further cargo growth. Historical Airline Service Though passenger service was inconsistent, Rockford did see a variety of carriers over the years. Ozark Airlines connected RFD to O’Hare and Denver in the 1970s. TWA briefly operated Boeing 727s into Rockford in 1980, while Frontier Airlines (the original version) brought Boeing 737s in the mid-1980s. Other operators like McClain Airlines, Britt Airways, and Coleman Air Transport also attempted service, with mixed success. In the 2000s, Rockford repositioned itself as a low-cost leisure alternative to O’Hare and Midway. Allegiant Air became the airport’s anchor in 2005, offering flights to Florida, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and other vacation markets. Apple Vacations also operated seasonal charters to Cancún, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana through European and U.S. charter carriers. Cargo Boom of the 21st Century While passenger traffic has remained modest — around 103,000 travelers in 2021 — Rockford’s cargo operations have exploded. By the 2010s, RFD had firmly established itself as one of the fastest-growing cargo airports in the world. UPS expanded its massive hub, capable of handling dozens of widebody aircraft simultaneously. Amazon Air later joined, creating another major distribution center. The airport now handles flights from Asia and Europe, with carriers linking Rockford to Germany and China to support global supply chains. To keep up with demand, the airport invested heavily in infrastructure. A 90,000-square-foot cargo facility opened in 2021, with further expansions planned. The airport also received federal grants to construct new ramps and storage areas capable of accommodating the latest Boeing 747-8 freighters. By 2023, companies like Maersk Air Cargo, Menzies Aviation, and DB Schenker had established operations on-site.