MEDIA RELEASE

For more information, contact:                                                                                                        July 21, 2026
Shaquil Manigault
rfd@chartwell-agency.com
815.282.9976

RFD Celebrates 80 Years of Connecting the Rockford Region to the World

Anniversary milestone reflects eight decades of passenger service, cargo growth and regional economic impact

ROCKFORD, Ill. (July 21, 2026) – The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is celebrating its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of growth that have transformed the former Camp Grant property into a nationally ranked cargo hub, a growing passenger gateway and one of the Rockford region’s largest employment centers.

The anniversary comes as RFD holds the highest cargo ranking in its history. The Federal Aviation Administration ranked RFD No. 12 among 155 U.S. airports for total landed weight in 2025 after the airport recorded more than 3.4 billion pounds, a 9.21 percent increase from the previous year.

The ranking is the result of investments in airport infrastructure, facilities and workforce development, as well as long-standing partnerships with UPS, Amazon Air and Maersk Air Cargo. Together, those operations have helped establish RFD as a key freight and logistics hub for the Midwest.

“When you look at where RFD started and what it supports today, 80 years is a meaningful milestone for both the airport and the community,” said Zack Oakley, Executive Director of RFD. “That progress came from people making smart decisions over time, including employees, board members, tenants and community partners. We are proud of what they created, and the role RFD plays in the region today.”

RFD also experienced passenger growth in 2025, recording 146,094 passenger enplanements, a 10.55 percent increase from 2024. The increase shows that more regional travelers are choosing to begin their trips closer to home, where they can park near the terminal and move through a smaller, less congested airport.

RFD’s passenger travel partnerships have continued to expand the ways regional travelers can begin their trips closer to home. Allegiant Air provides nonstop service to popular destinations across the United States, while Apple Vacations offers seasonal international travel to vacation destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America and American/Landline service originating at RFD to over 350 destinations.

RFD’s current position took shape over several distinct periods in its history. Before becoming an airport, the property was home to Camp Grant, a U.S. Army training base that operated from 1917 to 1946 and supported the country during both world wars.

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority was formed in 1946 following the adoption of the Illinois Airport Authorities Act, making it one of the oldest airport authorities in the United States. Airport development began the following year, aircraft operations started in 1949 and commercial passenger service was established in 1950.

Later decisions expanded both the size and purpose of the airport. The current passenger terminal opened in 1987, giving the region a stronger foundation for commercial travel. Air cargo operations launched in 1989, followed by the arrival of UPS in 1994. That partnership changed the scale of RFD’s cargo operation and helped position the airport for the growth that followed.

Today, RFD is home to the second-largest UPS hub in North America, a major base of operations for Amazon Air and cargo operations from Maersk Air Cargo. The campus also includes an aviation maintenance repair facility operated by AAR, additional aircraft maintenance operations and Rock Valley College’s aviation maintenance education program.

“We are not treating 80 years as a finish line,” Oakley said. “Our next step is to keep improving the passenger experience, support our cargo partners and make sure RFD continues creating opportunities for the region.”

Throughout 2026, RFD will recognize its anniversary through historical context, passenger promotions and opportunities for the community to participate in the celebration. Additional updates will be shared through FlyRFD.com and RFD’s social media channels.

For more information about RFD cargo operations, visit rfdcargo.com, and for more information about passenger travel, visit flyrfd.com.

About Chicago Rockford International Airport

The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is ranked as the 12th largest airport in the United States for air cargo with more than 3.4 billion pounds of landed weight in 2025. The Airport is home to the second-largest UPS hub in North America and is a major base of operations for Amazon Air. The Airport campus encompasses an aviation maintenance repair facility (AAR) as well as other aircraft maintenance operations capable of servicing next-generation aircraft. There is also an aviation education maintenance program (Rock Valley College) on airport grounds that is turning out a highly trained and skilled workforce.

RFD and its tenants are home to 8,000 jobs and contribute billions of dollars of economic impact to the region annually.

Additionally, RFD has direct domestic and international passenger flights which further strengthens the airport as a key transportation hub to the region. RFD offers passenger flights through Allegiant Airlines, Apple Vacations, and American Airlines to more than 350 destinations worldwide.

Visit FlyRFD.com for more information.

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