Dedicated on October 26, 1945, as the University of Illinois Airport, Willard’s mission was to support aviation education, research, and pilot training at the U of I. The Airport was developed as part of a post–World War II initiative to advance civilian aviation training and aerospace research in higher education.
It was named Willard Airport in honor of Arthur Cutts Willard, University president (1934–1946) who championed its founding. The Institute of Aviation began operations at the airport in 1946, becoming the U.S.’s first FAA-certified civilian pilot test center.
The first scheduled commercial flights launched in 1954 and proved successful. A new terminal was built to handle growing passenger numbers in 1960, then replaced by today’s facility in 1988.
In 1969, Willard became Illinois’s second-busiest airport, with jet service (an Ozark Airlines DC‑9) connecting St. Louis to both New York LaGuardia and Washington, DC through Champaign-Urbana.
https://iflycu.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CMI-History-Video.mp4
Today, all Willard Airport scheduled airline service is operated by large, Embraer 170/175 jets, with nonstops to Chicago O’Hare and Dallas/Ft. Worth, on American Airlines. Each day, Willard’s flights connect travelers to more than 250 cities on six continents in a single stop.
Willard’s commitment to excellence has never wavered. The airport was recognized as Illinois’s Primary Airport of the Year in 2023.
