United Airlines will begin operating flights between the University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning April 30.
Five new Midwest routes from O’Hare, including to and from Willard Airport, will operate four times daily, year-round, according to an announcement from United Airlines Tuesday.
Seven years ago, in 2019, United Airlines left Willard after being there for only a year. Now, United returns to the area, allowing for more flexibility for students who fly to campus, business travelers, leisure travelers and locals, according to the release.
“Willard Airport is a vital asset to anyone traveling to and from Champaign County to teach, to learn, and to engage in the collaborative and groundbreaking work that Illinois is known for,” said Chancellor Charles L. Isbell Jr, according to a press release on Jan. 27. “Additional travel options make our campus more accessible and extend our ability to deliver on our public land-grant mission.”
Currently, the only airline that flies out of Willard is American Airlines, with direct flights to O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). American Airlines operates four to five flights a day at Willard. In August 2025, American shared that it had filled 81% of its seats in and out of Willard in the previous year.
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“We are continuously working to increase Willard Airport’s reach,” said Tim Bannon, Willard Airport’s executive director. “United’s return to the market will increase our daily seats by more than 50%, ensuring more people can fly Champaign-Urbana.”
The Champaign-Urbana area is growing, and the addition of United Airlines will only aid the area’s expansion, according to the release.
“We’re thrilled to welcome United Airlines back to our market,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and chair of Willard Airport’s advisory board. “With the launch of United’s new service, travelers flying from Willard will have one-stop access to 45 new destinations.”
With O’Hare being a hub for United, travelers from Willard will be able to fly to most domestic cities and many international cities, only having to connect through O’Hare.
“We are excited to provide the Champaign-Urbana community with nonstop daily service to Chicago,” said Mark Weithofer, United’s managing director of domestic network planning. “This route will provide our customers with greater access between east central Illinois and Chicago – making it convenient for travelers to visit all of the places they want to travel with United’s leading global route network.”
Students can expect to be able to fly United to return home after finals in May and the school years to come.
