AirportArchive for the ‘’ Category

New Report Highlights Willard Airport’s $99.75M Economic Impact to Region

For Immediate Release

 Contacts:

Carly McCrory, Executive Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
217-649-2586
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
www.champaigncountyedc.org

Tim Bannon, Executive Director
University of Illinois-Willard Airport
217-244-8689
tbannon1@illinois.edu
www.iflycu.com

 NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS WILLARD AIRPORT’S $99.75M ECONOMIC IMPACT TO REGION

CHAMPAIGN, IL, October 24, 2019 – In a new report measuring the economic impact of the University of Illinois-Willard Airport (CMI) to the region, it was determined that the total estimated annual impact to Champaign County is $99.75M, a 34% increase since 2016. The report provides an analysis of existing air service, possible new air service, and airport non-airline aviation economic activity.

Other key metrics identified in the report include:

  • total estimated local job creation or support of 751 full-time employees with $30M in annual payroll, an increase of 34% since 2016;
  • total estimated 122 visitors per day, an increase of 91% since 2016; and
  • total estimated $14M taxes generated, an increase of 39% since 2016.

In recent data released by the Federal Aviation Administration, there were a total of 109,878 enplanements at Willard Airport in 2018, up 9.73% from 2017.

“We were happy to lead this study in partnership with Willard Airport and community organizations to showcase the incredible impact Willard Airport has on our region,” said Carly McCrory, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “The airport staff and Executive Committee have worked diligently in recent years to expand airline service and improve on-site experiences, and we’re happy to see such a positive increase in numbers since our last report in 2016, especially as it relates to overall impact, full-time jobs, and total enplanements.”

“The University of Illinois-Willard Airport continues to be a vital asset to the local economy, responsible for over 750 jobs and $99.75M of impact in Champaign County,” said Tim Bannon, Executive Director of Willard Airport. “We are happy to see a 34% increase to our annual impact to Champaign County, a true indicator that the airport is contributing to our local economy at a high level. We are constantly working to improve the customer experience, while prioritizing air service development.”

The report was sponsored by Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois-Willard Airport, Visit Champaign County, City of Champaign, Parkland College, Frasca International, University of Illinois Research Park, Flightstar, and the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®.

The full report is available here: http://champaigncountyedc.org/area-facts/directories-reports

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility Being Constructed at Willard Airport

SAVOY, IL (AUGUST 8, 2019) – Construction is underway on a new state-of-the-art U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) General Aviation Facility (GAF) at Willard Airport. The facility, funded through Flightstar, will allow for international General Aviation to arrive directy at Willard without having to pass through customs at another airport.

“This future CBP facility is an additional step in Flightstar’s ongoing push for improvements to our community airport. Having a GAF allows our international customers to arrive directly to Willard Airport without the need to clear customs at an alternate airport,” stated Bill Giannetti, Flightstar President. “This facility will open new opportunities in the international aviation market while serving this area and its users.”

While the facility will not serve Willard’s commercial operations, it will make the airport a more attractive destination for corporate and chartered flights.

“This facility is being constructed and fully funded by Flightstar, resulting in no cost to Willard Airport or the University. We value our continuous partnership with Flightstar, and their ongoing efforts to improve the facilities and services at Willard Airport,” said Tim Bannon, Executive Director of Willard Airport. “We hope this addition will make our airport and community a more attractive place to conduct business.” The GAF, located next to the Willard Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station, should be fully functional in early 2020.

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Press:

Customs facility for private flights under construction at Willard Airport, The News-Gazette

New Customs and Border Protection facility at Willard Airport, FOX Illinois 55/27

American Airlines Adds Second Daily Flight to Charlotte

From the press release via Willard Airport:

SAVOY, IL (March 18, 2019) – Your summer travel plans might be getting easier with the
addition of a second daily flight from Willard Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport
(CLT) beginning in May 2019.

“The one daily flight to Charlotte is performing very well,” says interim executive director, Tim
Bannon. “Performance of our first flight has done very well, warranting the addition of a second
daily flight.”

American Airlines began the first route to CLT in December. The second flight will begin May
3, 2019 and end July 6, 2019. Flights are able to be booked immediately.

“This additional flight will be seasonal to start, however if the flight performs as well as well as
the initial flight, it is possible American Airlines could make it permanent.” says Bannon.

The two departing daily flights will leave at 5:54 AM and 12:48 PM with return flights arriving
back to CMI at 12:08 PM and 8:49 PM.

“The additional flight will be great for the community. This will give travelers a second option for
a connection in Charlotte,” says Bannon.

The additional flight joins five daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and two daily
flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Press:

Willard Airport adding second daily flight to Charlotte in May, Smile Politely

American adds Charlotte-Willard flight, The News-Gazette

Champaign Airport Gets Second Daily Flight to Charlotte, Chambanamoms.com

Willard Airport Sees 12% Passenger Growth in 2017

From the press release:

For the first time in ten years, the University of Illinois hosted over 100,000 departing passengers through Willard Airport leading to more than 200,000 total passengers traveling to and from the Champaign-Urbana region through the airport.

The increase in passenger traffic is accredited to American Airlines increasing the number of flights in and out of the airport as well as United Airlines which began service between Champaign-Urbana (CMI) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on June 8, 2017.

“With the increase in American Airlines flights and the new service from United Airlines, Willard Airport saw almost 50,000 additional seats available for all departing and arriving passengers in 2017. This growth in service is a boon for everyone in our community,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Willard Airport.

Including all airline operations and charter operations, Willard Airport enplaned 104,596 passengers in 2017 which is highest number of enplaned passengers since 2007.

Press:

Willard Airport flew higher in 2017, The News-Gazette

Willard Airport saw growth in passenger traffic in 2017, Smile Politely

Willard’s passenger numbers soar 12 percent in 2017, The News-Gazette

Airport sees most passengers in 10 years, WCIA 3 News

 

 

Flightstar Celebrates Grand Opening of Hangar 10

Congrats to Flightstar on the grand opening of Hangar 10! This 31,000 SF facility was recently completed along with the refurbishment of the adjoined Hangar 3, creating a 52,000 SF complex.

Founded in 1978, Flightstar is an aviation service organization located at Willard Airport (Fly Champaign-Urbana) in Savoy, Illinois. With over 112,000 SF of hangar space, the company offers a range of services including a full-service fixed base operation, airline and general aviation maintenance, repair operations, avionics sales with installation and repair, and world-wide executive jet charter with full aircraft management services. Flightstar proudly serves as a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility and as a Honeywell Authorized Service Center. With over 120 team members, Flightstar prides itself on providing world-class aviation services delivered with a Midwestern work ethic and highly personalized customer service.

View photos from the grand opening here.

Press:

Flightstar Opens Newest Facility at Willard Airport, Fox Illinois 55/27

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