List of Airports in Illinois

As of 2024, there are 45 airports throughout the state of Illinois according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Illinois are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.

List of All Airports in Illinois

#	Airport	Abbreviation	Location	Size
1	Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport	SPI	Springfield, IL	Medium
2	Albertus Airport	FEP	Freeport, IL	Small
3	Alton Airport	ALN	Alton, IL	Medium
4	Belleville Airport	BLV	Belleville, IL	Small
5	Bi-State Parks Airport	CPS	St Louis, IL	Medium
6	Cairo Airport	CIR	Cairo, IL	Small
7	Canton Airport	CTK	Canton, IL	Small
8	Central Illinois Regional Airport	BMI	Bloomington-Normal, IL	Medium
9	Coles County Memorial Airport	MTO	Mattoon, IL	Small
10	Decatur Airport	DEC	Decatur, IL	Medium
11	Dupage County Airport	DPA	Chicago, IL	Large
12	Galesburg Airport	GBG	Galesburg, IL	Small
13	Greater Kankakee Airport	IKK	Kankakee, IL	Medium
14	Greater Peoria Regional Airport	PIA	Peoria, IL	Medium
15	Greater Rockford Airport	RFD	Rockford, IL	Medium
16	Illinois Valley Regnl Airport	VYS	Peru, IL	Small
17	Leckrone Airport	SLO	Salem, IL	Small
18	Lewis Lockport Airport	LOT	Lockport, IL	Medium
19	Machesney Airport	RMC	Rockford, IL	Small
20	Memorial Airport	UGN	Waukegan, IL	Medium
21	Merrill C Meigs Airport	CGX	Chicago, IL	Small
22	Midway Airport	MDW	Chicago, IL	Large
23	Mt Vernon-Outland Airport	MVN	Mt Vernon, IL	Small
24	Municipal Airport	AUZ	Aurora, IL	Medium
25	Municipal Airport	ENL	Centralia, IL	Small
26	Municipal Airport	GRE	Greenville, IL	Small
27	Municipal Airport	IJX	Jacksonville, IL	Small
28	Municipal Airport	JOT	Joliet, IL	Small
29	Municipal Airport	LWV	Lawrenceville, IL	Small
30	Municipal Airport	MQB	Macomb, IL	Small
31	Municipal Airport	UIN	Quincy, IL	Medium
32	O’Hare International Airport	ORD	Chicago, IL	Huge
33	Olney-Noble Airport	OLY	Olney, IL	Small
34	Pal-Waukee Airport	PWK	Chicago, IL	Medium
35	Quad City International Airport	MLI	Moline, IL	Large
36	Raleigh Airport	HSB	Harrisburg, IL	Small
37	Rinkenberger Airport	BDF	Bradford, IL	Small
38	Sky Harbor Airport	OBK	Northbrook, IL	Small
39	Southern Illinois Airport	MDH	Carbondale, IL	Medium
40	Sparta Community Airport	SAR	Sparta, IL	Small
41	Vandalia Airport	VLA	Vandalia, IL	Small
42	Vermilion County Airport	DNV	Danville, IL	Small
43	Whiteside County Airport	SQI	Sterling Rockfalls, IL	Small
44	Willard University Airport	CMI	Champaign, IL	Large
45	Williamson County Airport	MWA	Marion, IL	Medium

Major Airports in Illinois

Illinois is home to some of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as major hubs for both domestic and international flights. These airports play crucial roles in connecting the Midwest to the world and are integral to the state’s economy, tourism, and logistics. Below are five of the major airports in Illinois.

1. O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Airport Code: ORD
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) / UTC-6
Address: 10000 W O’Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666

Nearby Cities:

• Chicago (17 miles)
• Evanston (10 miles)
• Skokie (9 miles)
• Schaumburg (18 miles)

Major Airlines Served:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic: Over 70 million (2023)

Airport Location and History

O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest and most important airports in the United States and the world. Located in Chicago, O’Hare serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights, especially for United Airlines and American Airlines. The airport was originally opened in 1944 as Orchard Field Airport and was later renamed to honor World War II aviation hero Edward “Butch” O’Hare. Over the decades, O’Hare has expanded significantly to accommodate growing passenger traffic, becoming a global transit hub.

The airport’s strategic location in the heart of the U.S. makes it an essential gateway for travel to Europe, Asia, and other parts of the Americas. It plays a significant role in connecting the U.S. Midwest to global destinations. Besides its passenger traffic, O’Hare handles substantial cargo volumes, supporting the region’s industries, including technology, manufacturing, and finance.

Facilities and Infrastructure

O’Hare has 8 runways:

• Runway 9/27: 13,000 feet
• Runway 10/28: 13,000 feet
• Runway 14/32: 10,000 feet
• Runway 15/33: 13,000 feet
• Runway 18/36: 7,500 feet
• Runway 22/4: 7,500 feet
• Runway 27/9: 8,000 feet
• Runway 28/10: 10,000 feet

O’Hare is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, due to its long runways and modern terminals. The airport has been continually upgraded to handle the largest aircraft and accommodate the growing volume of both passengers and cargo. O’Hare is equipped with five terminals, offering a wide range of services such as dining, shopping, baggage handling, and lounges. It also has extensive ground transportation options, including a large number of car rental agencies, buses, and taxis, making it one of the most accessible airports in the U.S.

2. Midway International Airport (MDW)

Airport Code: MDW
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) / UTC-6
Address: 5700 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638

Nearby Cities:

• Chicago (10 miles)
• Oak Lawn (6 miles)
• Cicero (8 miles)
• Burbank (4 miles)

Major Airlines Served:

• Southwest Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Allegiant Air

Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 23 million (2023)

Airport Location and History

Chicago Midway International Airport is another major airport serving the city of Chicago. Originally named Chicago Municipal Airport, it was renamed in 1949 to honor the Battle of Midway, a pivotal naval battle in World War II. The airport has been operational since 1927 and played a significant role in air travel during the 20th century. Today, Midway is primarily a hub for Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of its traffic.

Despite being smaller than O’Hare, Midway serves as a key regional airport, especially for domestic flights. It is located on the southwest side of Chicago and provides an alternative to O’Hare for travelers in the region. The airport has seen modernization and expansion in recent years, focusing on improving passenger experience, capacity, and efficiency.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Midway has 3 runways:

• Runway 13/31: 6,522 feet
• Runway 4/22: 6,152 feet
• Runway 10/28: 6,000 feet

Midway is capable of handling narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 but is not equipped for wide-body aircraft. Its runways are adequate for regional and domestic flights, but the airport’s infrastructure is more focused on quick turnarounds and high-frequency, point-to-point flights. The airport’s single terminal offers a range of dining options, retail outlets, and services such as free Wi-Fi and baggage claim. Ground transportation options include the Chicago Transit Authority’s “L” train, buses, and rental car services.

3. Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)

Airport Code: RFD
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) / UTC-6
Address: 2 Airport Cir, Rockford, IL 61109

Nearby Cities:

• Rockford (0 miles)
• Belvidere (15 miles)
• Loves Park (6 miles)
• Machesney Park (8 miles)

Major Airlines Served:

• Allegiant Air
• Sun Country Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1.5 million (2023)

Airport Location and History

Chicago Rockford International Airport is located in Rockford, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Initially serving as a military base during the 1940s, it later became a civilian airport and has since become an important hub for low-cost carriers, particularly Allegiant Air. Over the years, Rockford has expanded its passenger services and is now considered one of the fastest-growing airports in Illinois, particularly for budget-conscious travelers.

The airport is known for serving as a regional hub for leisure travelers and has made significant improvements in its facilities to accommodate more flights and passengers. Despite being smaller than Chicago’s major airports, Rockford offers an efficient and convenient alternative to O’Hare and Midway.

Facilities and Infrastructure

RFD has 2 runways:

• Runway 1/19: 10,000 feet
• Runway 6/24: 8,000 feet

Chicago Rockford International is capable of handling large narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737, but it does not typically handle wide-body jets. The airport’s infrastructure includes a single terminal with basic services like check-in, baggage handling, and dining. RFD is also a significant cargo hub, with a large focus on freight and shipping services, and it provides convenient parking and ground transportation options.

4. Bloomington Normal Airport (BMI)

Airport Code: BMI
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) / UTC-6
Address: 3201 CIRA Dr, Bloomington, IL 61704

Nearby Cities:

• Bloomington (0 miles)
• Normal (4 miles)
• Lincoln (30 miles)
• Champaign (42 miles)

Major Airlines Served:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200,000 (2023)

Airport Location and History

Bloomington Normal Airport serves the twin cities of Bloomington and Normal in central Illinois. Established in 1949, BMI has grown into a regional airport catering primarily to domestic flights. The airport plays an essential role for business travelers and residents of the region, providing connections to major hubs like Chicago and Dallas.

BMI has undergone several upgrades over the years, improving passenger facilities and expanding its services. It serves as a regional point for air travel within Illinois, catering to passengers looking for a more convenient alternative to larger airports.

Facilities and Infrastructure

BMI has 2 runways:

• Runway 9/27: 8,000 feet
• Runway 14/32: 6,501 feet

Bloomington Normal Airport’s runways can accommodate narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 but are not designed for wide-body planes. The terminal offers essential services, including baggage claim, rental car facilities, and a small selection of dining options. BMI is a small but vital airport that connects central Illinois to major transportation hubs, supporting both business and leisure travel.

5. Central Illinois Regional Airport (CMI)

Airport Code: CMI
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST) / UTC-6
Address: 3201 CIRA Dr, Bloomington, IL 61704

Nearby Cities:

• Bloomington (5 miles)
• Normal (6 miles)
• Peoria (50 miles)
• Champaign (40 miles)

Major Airlines Served:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 150,000 (2023)

Airport Location and History

Located near Bloomington-Normal, Central Illinois Regional Airport (CMI) serves as the primary airport for the region. It opened in 1947 and has since grown to become a key transportation hub for central Illinois, offering flights to major cities like Chicago and Dallas. It is often used by business travelers and residents who prefer a smaller, more convenient airport compared to larger regional options.

CMI is also a hub for cargo operations, and its proximity to major highways enhances its accessibility for freight transportation. Over the years, the airport has made numerous improvements to increase capacity and improve services for passengers and cargo alike.

Facilities and Infrastructure

CMI has 2 runways:

• Runway 14/32: 8,000 feet
• Runway 9/27: 7,000 feet

CMI’s runways are sufficient for handling regional flights and narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737. It is not equipped to handle wide-body jets. The airport features a modern terminal with essential services like rental cars, dining, and baggage handling. It offers a convenient and accessible travel option for central Illinois residents.

Illinois Overview

The state of Illinois (pronounced ilino) has 12.8 million residents (2016). The capital is Springfield and the largest city is Chicago.

In 1673, the French were the first European explorers to penetrate the territory of Illinois. The region was dominated by the United States after the country’s independence and was admitted as a state in 1818. In the 1920s, Chicago was dominated by organized crime, led by Al Capone (1899-1947).

Chicago is the great metropolis of the State of Illinois and the third largest city in the United States of America. It has beautiful urban scenery, many parks and cultural attractions. The city dominates the state’s industrial, financial and cultural scene. Chicago is the seat of Cook County, located in northeastern Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan and crossed by the Chicago River.