Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport

Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport is a public airport located in Linn County, Iowa, approximately 3 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and serves the Eastern Iowa region, including Iowa City, Iowa, Marion, Iowa, and Hiawatha, Iowa. The airport is owned by the City of Cedar Rapids and operated by the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission. It is a major economic driver for the region, supporting businesses such as Rockwell Collins, General Mills, and Quaker Oats Company. The airport is also a key transportation hub for University of Iowa students and faculty, as well as Kirkwood Community College students.

● Overview

The airport offers a range of amenities and services, including free Wi-Fi, food and beverage options, and a gift shop featuring products from local businesses such as The Eastern Iowa Airport and Cedar Rapids Tourism Office. The airport is also home to several fixed-base operators (FBOs), including Atlantic Aviation and Jet Aviation, which provide fueling, maintenance, and other services to general aviation aircraft. Additionally, the airport is served by several car rental companies, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and Avis. The airport's proximity to major highways such as Interstate 380 and U.S. Route 151 makes it easily accessible by car, and it is also served by several taxi and ride-hailing services, including Uber and Lyft.

● History

The airport has a rich history dating back to the 1920s, when it was first established as a small grass airstrip serving the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. During World War II, the airport was used as a training base for United States Army Air Forces pilots, and it was also used by the United States Navy as a naval outlying landing field. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion and modernization, with the addition of new runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings. The airport has continued to grow and evolve over the years, with major renovations and expansions taking place in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of a new terminal building and concourse designed by HOK and Shive-Hattery. The airport has been recognized for its excellence by organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and it has received awards from Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

● Facilities

The airport's facilities include a single terminal building with two concourses, as well as several hangars and maintenance facilities operated by companies such as Bombardier Aerospace and Gulfstream Aerospace. The airport's air traffic control tower is operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it is equipped with state-of-the-art air traffic control systems, including automated dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and performance-based navigation (PBN). The airport also has a fire station and emergency medical services (EMS) facility, which are staffed by trained firefighters and paramedics from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and Cedar Rapids Police Department. The airport is also home to several general aviation facilities, including fixed-base operators (FBOs) and flight schools, such as FlightSafety International and CAE Inc..

● Airlines_and_Destinations

The airport is served by several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, which offer non-stop flights to destinations such as Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The airport is also served by several regional airlines, including Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines, which offer connecting flights to destinations such as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Additionally, the airport is served by several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, which offer cargo services to destinations such as Memphis International Airport and Louisville International Airport. The airport's air cargo facilities are operated by companies such as DHL Aviation and DB Schenker.

● Statistics

The airport serves over 1 million passengers per year, with a total of over 50,000 aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) per year. The airport's economic impact on the region is significant, with an estimated annual economic output of over $100 million, supporting businesses such as Caterpillar Inc. and John Deere. The airport is also a major employer in the region, with over 500 people employed directly by the airport or by airport-related businesses, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The airport's traffic is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for air travel and cargo services from companies such as Amazon Air and Walmart.

● Ground_Transportation

The airport is accessible by car via Interstate 380 and U.S. Route 151, and it is also served by several public transportation options, including Cedar Rapids Transit and Greyhound Lines. The airport is also served by several taxi and ride-hailing services, including Uber and Lyft, as well as several car rental companies, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and Avis. Additionally, the airport offers parking facilities for over 2,000 vehicles, including short-term parking and long-term parking options, as well as electric vehicle charging stations operated by companies such as ChargePoint and EVgo. The airport is also served by several bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Cedar Valley Trail and the Cedar River Trail, which connect to nearby parks and recreational areas, such as Prairie Park Fishery and Cedar River State Park.