Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport

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Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)
IATA: AZO - ICAO: KAZO
Summary
Airport type public
Operator Kalamazoo County
Serves Kalamazoo, Michigan
Elevation AMSL 874 ft (266.4 m)
Coordinates 42°14′05.6″N, 85°33′07.4″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
17/35 6,500 1,981 Paved
5/23 3,436 1,047 Paved
9/27 2,800 853 Paved

Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (IATA: AZO, ICAO: KAZO) is an airport in Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Battle Creek, Michigan. It has a 7-gate passenger terminal, and a larger state of the art replacement terminal has been planned, but construction has been held back due to some government grants that have a lack of funding.

The airport has an operating ATC Tower, and an approach/ departure control center, making for a class "D" airport with a TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area).

Contents

[edit] History

The inspiration of an airport in Kalamazoo began in 1925. In May of 1926, the City of Kalamazoo bought 383 acres of land near Portage and Kilgore Roads. Scheduled air service began between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids shortly thereafter, and the first regular air mail service started in July, 1928. In February 1929, the field was licensed as the first municipal airport in Michigan. It was named Lindbergh Field in honor of famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh.

In 1958 a new terminal was constructed to replace the old building that had housed passengers since the 1920’s. In 1961, an air traffic control tower and additional runways were built. Year after year, the number of passengers using the facility and the number of flights in and out of Kalamazoo continued to grow. The consistent growth necessitated a terminal expansion in 1979 and the building increased from 12,000 to 30,000 square feet.

In 1982, the Core Council decided that the City of Kalamazoo should no longer bear the full cost of operating the airport, and in 1984, the City transferred ownership to the County of Kalamazoo. The County recognized the need to increase service at the Kalamazoo County Airport. The terminal was completely renovated in 1989, with the addition of a new concourse, an enlarged boarding area, a new baggage claim area, and a ramp expansion. This expansive project doubled the size of the terminal, and passenger traffic grew from 200,000 per year to over 500,000 per year by 1993. In 1994, passenger volume dictated the need for a parking lot expansion, during which time, over 300 long-term spaces were added.

Today, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is served by 4 major airlines that fly hundreds of passengers each day to major hubs with worldwide connections.

[edit] General aviation

Kalamazoo Airport is used by private pilots passing by, local pilots, and by charter companies. Air charters are available through two companies, Duncan Aviation, and Riley Aviation.

[edit] Fixed base operators

At the airport, three fixed based operators have operations.

FBOs: Duncan Aviation provides fuel, a pilots lounge, chart sales, 24 hour vending, and is a full service FBO.

Kalamazoo Pilots Association provides at cost 100LL self-serve fuel to local and visitng pilots 24 hours per day.

Kalamazoo Aircraft Inc. provides maintence services for a variety or aircraft, and offers some of the region's best mechanical services.

[edit] Commercial airline service

The airport sees hundreds of thousands of passengers every year through commercial airline service. 6 Airlines service the airport on over 50 daily flights.

Currently, the Kalamazoo Airport has a 7 gate passenger terminal, with gates A1, A2, B1, and B2 being in the main terminal, and gates 3, 4, and 5 being down the secondary concourse.

Services inside the terminal include rental cars, shoe shine, video arcade, food court, pub, travel agents, ATM machines, payphones, skycaps, cargo services, and real estate agents.

A new terminal is being planned, which will include state of the art facilities to meet the airports growning demands, but construction has been held off due to a lack of government funding which was originally expected.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

A Northwest DC-9 Departs for MSP
A Northwest DC-9 Departs for MSP

* Northwest Airlines (Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul on a DC-9 or A319)

[edit] Competition

Kalamazoo competes with larger, nearby airports, such as Grand Rapids, and South Bend, who offer similar flights as Kalamazoo, but often at lower prices. Kalamazoo has received grants from the federal government to bring lower fares to Kalamazoo, more flights to the airport, and also more non-stop destinations. Delta's Atlanta flight is the result of such government grants.

[edit] External links

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