RFD Overview & History

The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located 85 miles northwest of Chicago and encompasses over 3,000 acres. RFD is home to 30 industrial tenants and the largest regional parcel-sorting facility in the UPS system - the only facility of its type that handles coast-to-coast cargo. The airport has progressively evolved from a general aviation facility to a dynamic commercial service airport.

RFD is presently ranked as the 22nd largest cargo airport in the nation and the 220th largest passenger airport. Currently, Allegiant Air offers non-stop flights to Orlando, Las Vegas, and Clearwater/St. Pete (Tampa Bay Area), and seasonal service to Phoenix/Mesa. Apple Vacations offers seasonal service to Cancun. RFD averages up to 31 flights a week, depending on the season.

RFD is an international airport capable of landing aircraft in Category III conditions. These state-of-the-art facilities, when coupled with runway lengths of 10,000 ft. and 8,200 ft., allow RFD to land any jet aircraft operating in the world today - even under the most adverse conditions. RFD’s modern two-story 50,000 sq. ft. terminal building has a “hassle-free” environment with jet bridge boarding.

RFD is a United States Customs Port of Entry, home to 30 industrial tenants and the Authority is grantee for Foreign Trade Zone #176. The diverse activities at RFD cause it to have a greater economic impact on the region it serves than any other commercial service airport in the State of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago's system of airports.

RFD Expansion

Over the past few years more than $183 million has been invested in infrastructure improvements and facilities at RFD aimed at making your experience safe, efficient, and hassle-free. A majority of dollars spent on these projects were funded through local, state, and federal grants. The completion of these projects has allowed RFD to be in the position to accommodate the tremendous growth in passenger and cargo services.

RFD is unique in the fact that although the airport has aggressively completed and invested in many recent capital improvement projects over the past several years - at the same time - they have aggressively paid down their debt. As of January 1, 2007 their property tax rate was cut by 62%, which means a significant savings for taxpayers.

Click Here for additional info.

Some of these project highlights include:

RFD Parking Expansion
Beltline Road Expansion
Terminal Enhancements
Hangar Development
Addition of Snow Removal Equipment Building
Addition of International Arrival Gate
Remodel/Expansion of Fire Station #7
New UPS Sorting Facility

Click Here for brochure highlighting some of these projects.

History

In 1917, during World War I, the Rockford Airport then named "Camp Grant," was a U.S. Army Calvary Camp. During World War II the Army transformed Camp Grant into a military training base and a prisoner of war detainment camp. In 1946 the State of Illinois adopted the Airport Authorities Act; thus the Greater Rockford Airport Authority was created. The Authority is an independent municipal corporation of the State of Illinois.

Read About RFD's Rich History

Local author Richard Lewis's recently-published book: "It was an Airport before it was an Airport - The Story of Greater Rockford Airport from Camp Grant to the Present Day" will make the perfect gift. For $20*, this 128-page book is packed full with photos and information on RFD dating back from the early 1900s to the present day. Richard Lewis will even autograph your book with a special message. *Price may be more at area retail locations.

For information on where to purchase a copy of Richard Lewis's book Click Here.

For additional information about Camp Grant, Click Here.

For a timeline and photo display of "RFD Through the Decades" beginning with the 1940s through this year, Click Here.