O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
O’Hare International Airport is not only among the busiest airports for passenger traffic and flight operations, but it is also one of the busiest air cargo gateways in the world. Approximately 1.8 million metric tons of cargo worth approximately $200 billion are processed per year — ranking O’Hare 20th globally and 6th U.S. cargo airport by tonnage.
A new cargo campus at O’Hare was recently completed, and it will be able to handle 50 percent more cargo traffic and freighter aircraft in the coming decades. With this new development, O’Hare has approximately two million square feet of airside cargo facilities with space for 40 jumbo freighters on four separate ramps, with another two million square feet of cargo facilities land-side.
O’Hare serves 30 cargo carriers from Asia, Europe and the Americas, and over 30 international passenger carriers, including major hubs for both United Airlines and American Airlines. In addition, many foreign cargo carriers view Chicago as their flagship connection to the United States.
Rockford International Airport (RFD)
RFD is located approximately 40 miles from the heart of McHenry County. It features World-class facilities, including: a24/7 FAA Air-Traffic Control Tower, the Cat III/II Instrument Landing System which allows landing in zero-visibility conditions. It is also a U.S. Customs Port of Entry, with 24/7 Customs and federal inspections, and does USDA inspections as well. The airport has its own De-icing fluid retention and processing facility on-site.
RFD is great for those looking to save on shipping costs. With landing fees significantly cheaper than O’Hare. The uncongested airspace offered by RFD also means no stack time, burning less fuel. Same day onsite Centralized Examination Station (CES) service is available, 1-2 days faster than Chicago.
Rockford International’s airspace is Independent from that of O’Hare, Midway, and Mitchell airport in Milwaukee, which allows for “straight in” approaches. RFD also accommodates the largest aircraft flying: The Airbus 380 and Antonov 225 and has never closed due to snow.
UPS
Rockford hosts one of UPS’s seven domestic air hubs where it owns and operates the 9th largest airline in the world, and can process 160,000 packages per hour. The property also contains a UPS Freight facility with access to more than 20,000 one– and two–day lanes.
Mitchell Airport (MKE)
The primary airport serving the Milwaukee Region is Mitchell International Airport, conveniently located less than 15 minutes south of downtown Milwaukee. Mitchell houses ten commercial airlines, serving seven million passengers a year, and offers non-stop service to 39 destinations in the United States, as well 160 international destinations available with easy, one-stop connections. Mitchell is ranked as one of the top 10 small airports (less than 10 million annual passengers) in the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction study. The airport includes major carriers such as American, Delta, Southwest Airlines, and United.
