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For more information, contact: July 2, 2026
Shaquil Manigault rfd@chartwell-agency.com 815.282.9976

RFD Moves Up to No. 12 in FAA Cargo Rankings Alongside Passenger Travel Growth Highest cargo ranking in airport history follows a 9.21% increase in landed weight
ROCKFORD, Ill. (July 2, 2026) – The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) announced its 2025 cargo ranking from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), highlighting a year-over-year increase in total landed weight and an improved national ranking. RFD recorded more than 3.4 billion pounds of landed weight in 2025, reflecting a 9.21% increase from 2024.

This performance moved RFD from No. 14 to No. 12 among 155 airports nationwide for total landed weight, marking the highest cargo ranking in the airport’s history. The increase further strengthens RFD’s standing as one of the country’s leading cargo airports and a key freight and logistics hub for the Midwest. The scale of RFD’s cargo operations places it alongside major airports, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport at No. 6, John F. Kennedy International Airport at No. 9 and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at No. 15. The top 20 rankings are highlighted below, and the complete list is available here.

While RFD continues to pursue opportunities to expand its cargo operations, year-over-year growth reflects the strength and reliability of the airport’s existing operation.  “Moving up two positions while increasing landed weight by more than 9 percent is a strong result for RFD,” said Zack Oakley, Executive Director of RFD. “It reflects the work of our employees, tenants and carrier partners, as well as the infrastructure and workforce that allow us to support cargo operations at this scale.”

Long-standing partnerships with UPS, Amazon Air and Maersk Air Cargo continue to support RFD’s cargo growth. UPS has maintained operations at the airport for more than three decades, Amazon Air entered its sixth year at RFD in 2026, and Maersk Air Cargo remains an important part of the airport’s overall cargo activity.

“UPS, Amazon Air and Maersk Air Cargo are integral to the strength of our cargo operation,” Oakley said. “Their continued investment at RFD has helped us grow into an internationally recognized cargo hub while creating jobs and economic opportunities across the region.”

RFD also recorded growth in passenger activity during 2025. The FAA ranked RFD No. 209 out of 1,676 airports nationwide for passenger enplanements, with 146,094 passengers boarding flights at RFD. That represents a 10.55 percent increase from the 132,154 enplanements recorded in 2024. Passengers traveling through RFD have access to nonstop service to Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix and multiple destinations throughout Florida. In October 2025, RFD further expanded its passenger offerings through the launch of American Airlines service in partnership with Landline. The service allows travelers to book a single American Airlines itinerary, check in and clear security at RFD, and travel by premium motorcoach to Chicago O’Hare International Airport for connections to more than 350 destinations worldwide.

“The increase in passenger enplanements shows that more travelers are recognizing the convenience of beginning their trip at RFD,” Oakley said. “With our nonstop destinations and the added connectivity provided through American Airlines and Landline, passengers have more options available to them than ever before.”

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 or 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.  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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