Quad Cities International Airport

Quad Cities International Airport
Name	Quad Cities International Airport
IATA	MLI
ICAO	KMLI
FAA	MLI
Owner	Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County
Location	Moline, Illinois
Opened	0 1928
Elevation ft	590
Coordinates	41, 26, 55, N...
Website	https://qcairport.com/

Quad Cities International Airport. It is a public airport located in Moline, Illinois, serving the Quad Cities region of Illinois and Iowa. Owned by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County, the facility is a vital transportation and economic hub for the bi-state area. The airport offers commercial passenger service, general aviation, and significant air cargo operations.

History

The airport's origins trace back to 1928 when it opened as the Moline Municipal Airport on land purchased by the City of Moline. Its development accelerated during World War II when it was leased to the United States Army Air Forces and operated as the Moline Army Airfield, supporting training and logistics. In the post-war era, the airport was transferred to Rock Island County and renamed the Quad-City Airport, with major terminal expansions occurring in the 1960s and 1980s. A pivotal moment came in 1985 when it was designated an international airport by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, facilitating direct international cargo flights. The current passenger terminal was completed in 1992, and the airport was renamed to its present title in 1997 to reflect its regional and international role.

Facilities

The airport sits on 2,500 acres of land and features three asphalt runways, the longest being Runway 9/27 at 10,002 feet, capable of handling wide-body aircraft. The passenger terminal contains 10 gates and houses facilities for the Transportation Security Administration. A separate general aviation complex, operated by Signature Flight Support, serves private and corporate aircraft. The airport is also a major air cargo center, with facilities used by operators like UPS Airlines and FedEx Express, and includes a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection station for handling international freight. The air traffic control tower is operated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Airlines and destinations

The airport is primarily served by three major carriers offering non-stop flights to domestic hub airports. Allegiant Air operates seasonal and year-round services to leisure destinations like Orlando-Sanford and Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport. American Airlines, through its regional affiliate American Eagle, provides multiple daily flights to its hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Delta Air Lines, via its regional connection Delta Connection, offers service to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. These connections provide passengers with global access through major airline alliance networks like Oneworld and SkyTeam.

Statistics

In recent years, the airport has consistently served over 500,000 passengers annually. It is a significant cargo airport, regularly ranking among the top in Illinois for landed weight of cargo aircraft, driven by operations for UPS Airlines and Amazon Air. Southwest Airlines was a major carrier at the airport for decades before ending service in 2014, which significantly impacted passenger statistics. The airport's largest carrier by passenger count is typically American Airlines. General aviation operations are also substantial, with tens of thousands of annual movements from private and corporate aircraft.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation accidents. In 1960, a Lake Central Airlines Convair 340 crashed during a training flight, resulting in fatalities. A significant incident occurred in 1972 when North Central Airlines Flight 290 collided with a private Cessna 150 during its landing approach, causing fatalities on both aircraft. In 1985, a Midwest Express Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9 overran the runway during a rejected takeoff in snowy conditions, resulting in injuries but no fatalities. These events have contributed to advancements in Federal Aviation Administration procedures and local airport safety protocols.

Ground transportation

The airport is accessible via Interstate 74 and is served by several rental car agencies, including Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Avis. Public bus service is provided by the MetroLINK transit system, which connects the terminal to downtown Moline and other points in the Quad Cities. Taxi and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also available. Parking facilities include short-term, long-term, and economy lots, with the main terminal located just off 78th Avenue.

Category:Airports in Illinois Category:Quad Cities Category:Transportation in Rock Island County, Illinois