Letter from the Executive Director – Dec. 2022 Our airport is excited to welcome new, larger jets, starting this month. American Airlines’ regional affiliate, Envoy, now operates both daily roundtrips to and from Dallas/Ft. Worth with 76-seat Embraer ERJ175 aircraft. The planes are much larger than the 50-seaters previously used on the route, and they […]
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Willard Wins Big: $850,000 Grant for Service to Washington, DC
After several years of work, the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded Willard Airport an $850,000 grant to help secure nonstop flights to a Washington, DC area airport. The Grant is matched by more than $1.2 million in local funds contributed by almost two-dozen Champaign-Urbana organizations and companies. Willard competes against many other airports for funding […]
Continue ReadingNew, Larger Jets Now Flying between Champaign-Urbana and Dallas/Ft. Worth
Willard Airport leadership frequently meets with American Airlines, our incumbent carrier, working to secure more capacity and to better serve the region. The Airport built a business case for American to replace 50-seat regional jets on the Dallas/Ft. Worth route, with larger and more comfortable 76-seat Embraer ERJ175 planes. American agreed that the market can […]
Continue ReadingAirport Master Plan Complete: Improvement Plans Set for Next Decade
Willard Airport worked with engineering firm Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly to complete its first master plan in more than 30 years. The plan lays out projects that should be completed to ensure the Airport is ready to serve the community for the next several decades. The master plan found the existing Passenger Terminal Building, which […]
Continue ReadingSafety First: Willard Secures First New Fire Truck in 19 Years
The Airport took delivery of its first new fire truck in more than 19 years, for aircraft rescue and firefighting operations, in October. The Oshkosh Striker is at the top of its class – and 100% paid for by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As Car and Driver writes, “Think of the Striker as the […]
Continue ReadingWillard Welcomes New Assistant Director of Operations and Maintenance
Andrew Smith, C.M., A.C.E, joined Willard Airport in August 2022 as the Assistant Director of Operations and Maintenance. Originally from New York, Andrew has more than ten years of airport experience. He’s previously worked in parking and terminal services, FBO line service, and Airport Operations. Andrew’s most recent position held was as an Airport Operation’s […]
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