Ruthie Harper from Ion Grove Café at Willard Airport was recently recognized by Experience Champaign‑Urbana with their prestigious Brilliant Spirit Award at the 2025 Toast to Tourism event. The award honors “individuals or organizations who have shown innovation, creativity, or collaboration in welcoming visitors and residents to the greater Champaign‑Urbana area.” As a key team member at […]
Continue ReadingNew TSA Checkpoint Construction Underway
Faster security, with less hassle, is on the way at Willard. Construction has started on a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. The original TSA checkpoint – a single-lane screening station located on the walkway bridge between the terminal and gate area – is too small under current post‑9/11 design standards. It routinely causes bottlenecks, […]
Continue ReadingFour Years of Perfection: Willard Gets Another Great FAA Review
Willard Airport staff take pride in working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, creating an ideal environment for pilots, travelers, and airport employees. That work has now been validated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a fourth year in a row. Each year, the FAA inspects every commercial […]
Continue ReadingNew Navigation Aids Installed
Runway 4/22 at Willard Airport is being equipped with new PAPIs (Precision Approach Path Indicators) as part of a broader effort to modernize and enhance airport safety after a recent rehabilitation of the runway. PAPIs provide pilots with real-time, color-coded visual cues (red and white lights) that help them maintain the correct glide path during […]
Continue ReadingWillard Site of Groundbreaking Pavement Research
A team led by the University of Illinois’ Imad Al‑Qadi has launched a $1 million FAA‑sponsored project to develop cracking performance tests for airfield asphalt mixes. The project involves collaboration with the University of New Hampshire, Arizona State University, Applied Research Associates, and Heritage Research Group. The research team collected loose mix, aggregates, asphalt binders, and field […]
Continue ReadingLetter from the Executive Director – Jan. 2025
On behalf of the team at University of Illinois – Willard Airport, we wish you a happy new year with seamless travel. We continue to be dedicated to making the travel experience better for you. We are investing millions of dollars in the airport experience, with some exciting projects on the horizon. We welcomed US […]
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