Chicago Rockford Int’l Airport

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ABout Chicago Rockford Int’l Airport

The airport encompasses aprox. 1,000 acres inside the fences. The airfield consists of a 10,000 ft. CAT II-III main east west runway (Rwy 7-25) and an 8,200 ft CAT II, north south runway (Rwy 1-19). RFD is home to the second largest air hub in the UPS North American system. It is also home to Amazon’s second largest air hub. It is currently the fastest growing air cargo airport in the world based on 2018 statistics.

 

Aircraft Types

  • Cargo

  • Commercial

  • Private

  • Executive Jets

These spots are subject to the jurisdictional controls of the Rockford Police Department, and the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

Additional info

  • Allegiant Air serves RFD with flights to 7 different locations. Frequency and days of operation depend on the season. In addition Apple Vacations operates daily flights from mid-December to mid-April to Cancun, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. TUI Fly out of Belgium operates the service. Further Sun Country operates various gambling charters throughout the year and the Northern Illinois University Football team and its opponents use RFD as well. 

  • RFD also serves as the primary diversion airport for 42 carriers at ORD. Being the only Illinois airport outside Chicago with full time US Customs; it also handles international diversions as well. During diversion events, this best place to get photos of the aircraft is the fence line by terminal buildings. International aircraft will be parked on the ramp between the main terminal and the International Arrival Gate which is just west of the main terminal.

  • Currently UPS operates approx. 13 daylight flights Tues-Thurs and approx. 30 night time flights Monday thru Friday. Those numbers will increase significantly during their peak season (Nov-Dec). Service is operated by B757’s, B-767’s, A300’s and MD-11’s. Peak often sees B747 service as well. 

  • Amazon established its hub at RFD three years ago and currently operates approx. 10 -15 flights per day daily. The exact number each day varies.  It is operated by Atlas, ATI and ABX using B767 and B737 equipment. 

  • Emery Air, the FBO at RFD, holds a military fueling contract, so RFD often sees military aircraft coming in for refueling. Further OSF St. Anthony Medical Center has their Life Flight helicopter based at RFD.

  • Further AAR Corp built a very large MRO at RFD 3 years ago and specializes in wide body aircraft from all over the world. Its located on the South end of the airport on Cessna Drive. 

  • In terms of restaurants and bathroom facilities, the Mc Donald’s on the corner of 11th Street (US 251) and Samuelson Rd. is the closest being approx. 3 blocks east of the field.  There also is a Subway approximately ½ mile North of the airport at the intersection of South Main (Rte2) and Kishwaukee Rd. There also is a Shell gas station across from the main terminal on Airport Drive for bathroom use.

  • In terms of spotting locations the best spot is a gravel lot just under the approach end of RWY 25 on Falcon Rd. However it is not always plowed in the winter. Another area is the fence line on Cessna Drive adjacent to the AAR facility. You can also spot along the fence line by the terminal, but keep in mind, the terminal lots are paid parking but the first two hours are free and its $1 an hour after that. Although RFD is spotter friendly parking on the roads under the approach end of the runways is not allowed and since the roads surrounding the airport are two lane roads, parking on the shoulders should be done with extreme caution, especially after dark.

  • Visit the official RFD website here