The Airport is happy to officially welcome Ion Grove Café to the gate area. It opened with limited services in the last week. Soon, you’ll be able to pick-up a bite to eat or a quick coffee before you board your plane at Willard Airport. Ion Grove Café will feature healthy meals, snacks, and drinks […]
Continue ReadingConstruction Underway on Major Safety Project to Realign Taxiway
A major safety project is underway this summer at Willard Airport, realigning a taxiway that connects the airline terminal, FlightStar, and the Parkland College Institute of Aviation with two of the Airport’s runways. The taxiway had what inspectors called, “non-standard geometry.” In other words, it connected to the runways in spots that the Federal Aviation […]
Continue ReadingReal ID: Required by May 2025
On May 7, 2025, travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights at Willard Airport, or any airport in the US. Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act recommended that the Federal Government, “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security […]
Continue ReadingLetter from the Executive Director – Winter 2024
Director’s Corner: Tim Bannon, AAE – Executive Director It’s been a challenging, and exciting, time at the University of Illinois – Willard Airport. We have faced the most significant weather events in the Airport’s history with last summer’s derecho – we have completed repairs, some of which have resulted in noticeable upgrades to the passenger […]
Continue ReadingAirport Working with Community to Raise Funding for Vacation Flights
Everyday Willard Airport and its community partners work to better connect central Illinois to the world. The effort helped to convince American Airlines to upgrade all CMI service to larger jets – each flight now features first class, main cabin extra, and economy. Service performs well with nonstops to both Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Ft. Worth, […]
Continue ReadingTerminal Upgrades Following Damaging Derecho
A line of severe storms with damaging wind gusts and embedded tornadoes, known as a derecho, tore through central Illinois last June. The winds caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage throughout the region – and Willard Airport didn’t escape unscathed. The biggest damage was the roof, part of which was ripped off in […]
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