The cities of Urbana and Champaign are joining the University to invest in the expansion of Willard Airport at the University of Illinois in Savoy, Illinois. The project is meant to transform the air service sector in Champaign County and stimulate the economy of the region.
Currently, the airport only offers flights to O’Hare International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — major international hubs that mainly function as connection points for passengers headed to other locations.
A key aspect of the plan for the Willard Airport expansion involves introducing leisure-class passenger service to popular tourist destinations such as Florida, Nevada and Arizona. Adding flights to these locations would not only strengthen the connectivity of the region but also lessen its reliance on airports that are farther off.
Tim Bannon, executive director for Willard Airport, emphasized that low cost — roughly $40 to $60 one way — would be economically invaluable to travelers.
Travel data shows that there are Champaign and Urbana residents who are already flying to these locations for vacations by using Willard Airport to catch connecting flights there, or driving to airports in Bloomington, Chicago or Indianapolis instead.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
“We only serve about 20% of the travel demand in our area,” Bannon said. “The remainder of people drive to other airports, and we’re trying to recapture those. That’s really the goal — create onsite jobs, allow people to save money spent driving to other airports and paying high parking rates. What we’re trying to do is offer value to our travelers, add air service to our market and grow our airport to serve the needs of our population here.”
Led by local authorities, the project aims to attract an airline that can offer leisure flights at Willard Airport by gathering community funding to ensure a minimum revenue guarantee for them.
A minimum revenue guarantee is money that would compensate for any deficits in an airline’s projected earnings in the first two years of operation and has become a standard aspect of initiatives aimed at persuading airlines to offer services at smaller airports like Willard Airport.
The University has already displayed its commitment to the project by pledging a substantial $500,000, underscoring the importance of the project to not only the regional economy but also the community.
The airport is now seeking an additional $500,000 from alternative donors like local governments and employers. As of February, preliminary approval for contributions has been granted by the city councils of both Urbana and Champaign, with a proposed $50,000 from the city of Urbana and $75,000 from the city of Champaign.
Bannon said the airport cannot fund the initiative independently due to federal restrictions, so the money has to come from the community. Because raising money is “always a challenge,” finding ways to do so has been discussed in many meetings.
Willard Airport is also continuing efforts to pursue a carrier that can offer direct flights to Washington D.C., which is another service in high demand. This initiative would also involve providing an MRG, which would be covered by the University along with an $850,000 grant given by the U.S. Department of Transportation for this flight service in 2022. The introduction of this new route has been delayed due to obstacles such as the nationwide shortage of pilots and difficulty finding a slot but is hoped to be added next.
However, the airport expansion entails more than just additional flights. According to an article on BNN Breaking, the authorities in Urbana see the initiative as a driving force for enhanced tourism, increased ease of access for business travelers and a competitive advantage for the businesses in the area.
Previous renovations made to the airport in 2023 involved bringing in larger aircraft, more frequent flights and first-class seating options. The boarding terminals were also upgraded during a six-month restoration that followed $1 million in damages from severe storms last June.
According to its website, Willard Airport is one of just two commercial airports in the United States that is owned and operated by an educational institution. Known by its FAA code “CMI,” the airport is named after Arthur Cutts Willard, a past president of the University. The airport was officially dedicated on Oct. 26, 1945, and its first scheduled flight took place in 1954.
According to Bannon, what’s coming up next for the airport is a major plan to expand its TSA checkpoint from one lane to two.
“We’re starting construction this year and will be finished early 2026,” Bannon said. “And then, in addition, we’re always working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Illinois Department of Transportation to secure grant funds to keep all of our airfield pavements and infrastructure in good condition.”
