List of Airports in Kentucky
As of 2024, there are 14 airports throughout the state of Kentucky according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Kentucky are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Kentucky
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
| 1 | Samuels Field | BRY | Bardstown, KY | Small |
| 2 | Warren County Airport | BWG | Bowling Green, KY | Medium |
| 3 | Elizabethtown Airport | EKX | Elizabethtown, KY | Small |
| 4 | Capital City Airport | FFT | Frankfort, KY | Medium |
| 5 | Municipal Airport | GLW | Glasgow, KY | Small |
| 6 | Blue Grass Airport | LEX | Lexington, KY | Large |
| 7 | Corbin-London Airport | LOZ | London, KY | Small |
| 8 | Standiford Field | SDF | Louisville, KY | Large |
| 9 | Bowman Field | LOU | Louisville, KY | Medium |
| 10 | Calloway County Airport | CEY | Murray, KY | Small |
| 11 | Daviess County Airport | OWB | Owensboro, KY | Medium |
| 12 | Barkley Regional Airport | PAH | Paducah, KY | Medium |
| 13 | Pulaski County Airport | SME | Somerset, KY | Small |
| 14 | Whitesburg Municipal Airport | BRG | Whitesburg, KY | Small |
Major Airports in Kentucky
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Airport Code:
SDF
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
600 Terminal Dr, Louisville, KY 40209
Nearby Cities:
- Louisville (5 miles)
- Jeffersonville, IN (5 miles)
- Bardstown (45 miles)
- New Albany, IN (7 miles)
- Lexington (75 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 3 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is located about 5 miles from downtown Louisville and serves as the primary airport for the region. Originally opened in 1928 as Louisville Municipal Airport, it was later renamed in 2006 to honor the legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, who was born in Louisville. The airport has played an important role in the city’s development, particularly as Louisville has grown into a hub for business, tourism, and international trade.
The airport’s close proximity to the city, combined with its status as a regional hub, makes it a key asset for both travelers and freight operations. SDF serves several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which offers numerous flights to popular destinations across the United States. While primarily catering to domestic flights, SDF also offers international service to Canada and Mexico.
In recent years, the airport has undergone extensive renovations, including terminal expansions and upgrades to accommodate growing passenger numbers. SDF is a critical infrastructure asset for Louisville and plays a major role in connecting the city to the broader national and global markets.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has three runways: Runway 17L/35R (10,000 feet), Runway 17R/35L (7,000 feet), and Runway 4/22 (7,000 feet). The airport’s longest runway, Runway 17L/35R, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, making SDF suitable for international long-haul flights.
The terminal features several concourses with a wide range of services, including dining options, shopping, and lounges. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking, as well as rental car services. SDF is also well connected to the surrounding region through taxis, shuttles, and public transportation, ensuring easy access for travelers coming from downtown Louisville and beyond.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Airport Code:
CVG
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
2939 Terminal Dr, Hebron, KY 41048
Nearby Cities:
- Cincinnati, OH (13 miles)
- Covington, KY (15 miles)
- Florence, KY (5 miles)
- Mason, OH (20 miles)
- Dayton, OH (50 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Delta Air Lines
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 8 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is located in Hebron, Kentucky, just across the river from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The airport opened in 1947 and has since grown into a major international gateway, serving the Cincinnati metro area and the surrounding region. CVG became a significant hub for Delta Air Lines following its merger with Northwest Airlines, and it continues to offer flights to numerous domestic and international destinations.
CVG’s location near the confluence of the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana rivers makes it an important logistics hub for the region. In addition to serving passengers, the airport is a vital component of the area’s freight infrastructure, particularly for UPS, which operates a major air cargo hub at the airport.
The airport has undergone several major expansions and renovations, including the construction of new terminals, enhanced security measures, and improvements to parking and ground transportation. As the region’s primary airport, CVG is an essential part of its economy, supporting both tourism and business travel.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has three runways: Runway 9/27 (10,000 feet), Runway 18/36 (8,000 feet), and Runway 17/35 (12,000 feet). The longest runway, Runway 17/35, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, making CVG suitable for international long-haul flights.
CVG has two terminals, which offer a variety of services, including restaurants, retail shops, and lounges. The airport provides both short-term and long-term parking options, as well as rental car services. The airport is connected to downtown Cincinnati and surrounding areas through taxis, shuttles, and private transportation, ensuring convenient access for passengers.
Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX)
Airport Code:
LEX
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
4000 Terminal Dr, Lexington, KY 40510
Nearby Cities:
- Lexington (5 miles)
- Richmond (20 miles)
- Georgetown (25 miles)
- Frankfort (35 miles)
- Louisville (75 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 1.5 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX) serves the Lexington-Fayette metropolitan area and central Kentucky. Opened in 1977, the airport is located about 5 miles from downtown Lexington, in the heart of the state’s Bluegrass region. LEX primarily handles domestic flights to major U.S. cities, with a focus on regional and business travel.
The airport’s name, Blue Grass, reflects the region’s rich agricultural history, particularly in the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses. As such, LEX plays a key role in facilitating travel for business professionals in the horse industry, as well as for tourists visiting the many horse farms and racetracks in the area.
In recent years, Lexington Blue Grass Airport has expanded its facilities to accommodate growing passenger numbers. This includes the construction of new parking lots, a modernized terminal, and increased security measures. The airport continues to serve as an essential gateway for central Kentucky, supporting both tourism and the regional economy.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Lexington Blue Grass Airport has one main runway: Runway 4/22, which is 7,000 feet long. This runway is capable of handling narrow-body jets such as the Boeing 737 and regional aircraft, including the Embraer E175. However, LEX is not designed to handle large wide-body aircraft, limiting its capacity for international long-haul flights.
The terminal at LEX provides basic services such as check-in counters, baggage claim, food services, and retail shops. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options, as well as rental car services. LEX is well connected to the surrounding areas through taxis, shuttles, and private transportation, making it accessible for passengers traveling to Lexington and central Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport (CVG)
Airport Code:
CVG
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Address:
2939 Terminal Dr, Hebron, KY 41048
Nearby Cities:
- Cincinnati (13 miles)
- Covington (14 miles)
- Florence (6 miles)
- Mason (21 miles)
- Dayton (46 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- United Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 8 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport, located in Hebron, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a major gateway for the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Opened in 1947, the airport has evolved into a key transportation hub for the region, particularly following Delta Air Lines’ expansion after merging with Northwest Airlines. The airport serves both domestic and international flights, with a focus on connectivity to major U.S. cities and popular international destinations.
CVG is strategically located near the I-275 loop and the confluence of the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana rivers, making it an accessible point for regional and global travel. The airport also plays an important role in regional freight operations, particularly for companies like UPS, which operates its global air hub at CVG.
The airport continues to undergo improvements and expansions, including terminal upgrades and increased services to meet growing passenger demand. It remains an integral part of the region’s transportation infrastructure, playing a crucial role in both tourism and business sectors.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport has three main runways: Runway 9/27 (10,000 feet), Runway 18/36 (8,000 feet), and Runway 17/35 (12,000 feet). The longest runway, Runway 17/35, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, supporting the airport’s international long-haul flights.
CVG has multiple terminals, offering a variety of services including restaurants, retail shops, lounges, and business centers. The airport provides short-term and long-term parking options, as well as rental car services. It is well connected to Cincinnati and surrounding regions by taxis, shuttles, and public transportation, ensuring ease of access for travelers arriving from the city and beyond.
Owensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB)
Airport Code:
OWB
Time Zone:
Central Standard Time (CST)
Address:
1006 Airport Rd, Owensboro, KY 42301
Nearby Cities:
- Owensboro (5 miles)
- Henderson (30 miles)
- Evansville, IN (35 miles)
- Bowling Green (75 miles)
- Louisville (120 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- General aviation (no major commercial airlines)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 20,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Owensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB) serves the city of Owensboro and the surrounding area in western Kentucky. Opened in the 1950s, it is a regional airport focused primarily on general aviation, with a small amount of commercial passenger service. The airport serves local travelers, businesses, and provides access to the greater Owensboro area, known for its agricultural industry and historical significance in the region.
OWB plays a vital role in connecting residents and businesses to nearby cities like Evansville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. Though it does not offer regular commercial flights, the airport supports a range of aviation services, including private flights, charter services, and flight training. It also plays a key role in emergency response and disaster relief efforts in the region.
The airport continues to invest in improvements, including runway upgrades and expansion of services, to accommodate increasing regional travel needs.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Owensboro-Daviess County Airport has one main runway: Runway 4/22, which is 6,000 feet long. This runway is suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft, including general aviation planes and regional jets, but it does not accommodate large wide-body aircraft.
The terminal provides basic services for general aviation, including check-in counters, a small waiting area, and flight school facilities. OWB offers parking for private planes and rental car services. While small, the airport remains a critical asset for Owensboro and the surrounding region, offering essential access to aviation services.
Kentucky Overview
Kentucky has 4.4 million residents (2016). The capital is Frankfort and the largest city is Louisville.
In the 17th century, Spaniards and French were the first Europeans to explore present-day Kentucky. British and their descendants arrived in the 18th century. American pioneer Daniel Boone (1734-1820) explored the region in 1769. In the following years, Boone guided many settlers to Kentucky, which became a state in 1792.
