If you have flown out of Ford Airport recently or even just visited to pick someone up, you probably have observed a very full parking lot. Ford Airport continues to see an increase in the number of passengers utilizing our local air service. In the last five years, the airport has doubled its passenger numbers. In 2018, the airport served 20,238 outbound passengers and in 2014, the total was 10,608. So far, in 2019, the numbers are strongwith the busiest February ever recorded. To keep up with demand, the parking area was reconfigured and staff continues to evaluate options to expand parking capacity.

 

Delta Airlines, operated by SkyWest, offers non-stop service to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) and Detroit, MI (DTW) on Sunday through Friday each week with two arrivals/departures to MSP each day and one arrival/departure to DTW. One additional flight is offered on Saturdays to MSP. The airport also serves the needs of private aviation customers along with air ambulance providers and air cargo services.

Passenger activity is not the only area doing well at the airport. Development of new aircraft hangars for private use continues, with one hangar completed in late 2018 and another to be constructed this summer to serve the needs of CSA Air, the contractor for FedEx air cargo services in the region. Further hangar development is expected in the near future to provide options for transient aircraft to park indoors for overnights.

Kubick Aviation, the fixed base operator at the airport, continues to grow and now employs 40 people. Kubick provides vital general aviation services to aircraft and passengers including charter air service through Northern Airways, aircraft maintenance and fuel services.

Last year was also a big year for Ford Airport with the total rehabilitation of the runway occurring in late spring 2018. Bacco Construction was the project contractor and was able to complete the project on schedule to minimize air service disruption at the facility to just 15 days. This project was a huge endeavor and was accomplished by utilizing a 24/7 schedule and detailed planning. Bacco received an Award of Excellence for the project from the Asphalt Paving Association of Michigan. The new runway surface will serve the airport well for many years.

Ford Airport provides an estimated $20 million/year economic impact to our area and is a vital asset that contributes to our region's prosperity. We thank the community for supporting the airport and look forward to a continued bright future of this important asset!