Discovering Regional Runways

Five local airports share facts, figures, and flying numbers

By Molly Cox | Feb. 22, 2025

The U.S. is home to over 19,700 airports, with around 5,200 for public use. Of these, only about 500 are “towered airports,” meaning they have an air traffic control tower.

Per Michigan Department of Transportation Aeronautics, “Michigan is home to 215 licensed public use airports, 13,000 registered pilots, and 5,200 aircraft, moving 39 million passengers and 601 million pounds of air cargo annually.” Of Michigan’s public use airports, there are only 15 towered airports in Michigan that offer commercial flights, like Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City.

On the flipside, there are more than a dozen other airports in our 13-county coverage area that support private aircraft owners, military operations, and medical missions.

Whether creating jobs or making pilot’s dreams come true, small airports are important contributors to the local communities they serve, according to Matthew Wyman, airport director at the Antrim County Airport in Bellaire. “There’s an expression in the aviation community: ‘When you build a mile of highway, you can go a mile; when you build a mile of runway, you can go anywhere in the world.’”

Several of our local airports host community programs to foster a passion for aviation in young people, like the free Young Eagles events with the Experimental Aircraft Association that introduces kids ages 8-17 to aviation. Many pilots learn to fly at small, regional airports instead of large ones because there is less air traffic, courses are more cost effective, and instructors have more time to dedicate to each student.

Regional airports also bring in people who spend money in local businesses like hotels and restaurants. “Many individuals have second homes in areas like Torch Lake, meaning their property taxes support the local community as well,” Wyman says.

In addition, small airports give Med Flight helicopters a place to land and take off from, meaning folks in rural or remote areas can get to the hospital sooner in an emergency. These airports can also provide a vital service in times of crises like firefighting and search and rescue operations.

So let’s get to know some of the runways around us.

Antrim County Airport, Bellaire, MI

On the runway: Antrim has one runway, 02/20, which is 5,003 feet.

Number of aircraft and/or passengers served: The airport has around 8,000 to 10,000 operations (a landing or departure = one operation) per year. The airport has 24 small, privately owned hangers for single engine aircraft and just finished a new taxiway for more hangers. 

Types of pilots and aircraft served: Public groups can use the airport for its conference room—just call to reserve a time. The airport also hosts Young Eagles flights to spur interest in aviation. The military and college students from Traverse City also frequently use the airport for various projects. 

Fun fact: In the 1980s, the airport was used in one of the largest drug smuggling operations in U.S. history, which began in Colombia, and ended at Antrim County Airport. The $1 billion operation moved 566,000 pounds of marijuana, several thousand pounds of cocaine, and involved over 200 people according to The Detroit Free Press.

Woolsey Memorial Airport, Northport, MI

On the runway: Woolsey has two grass runways: 16/34 is 2,670 by 150 feet, and 09/27 is 3,663 by 120 feet. 09/27 has pilot controlled lighting for night operations.

Number of aircraft and/or passengers served: Woolsey averages five operations per day. Pilots are not required to report landing at Woolsey, but the airport estimates about 300 different aircraft visit each year. There are about 200 charter passengers per year, plus passengers in private aircraft. There are no regularly scheduled airline flights, but Island Airways, Fresh Air Aviation, and Plane Sense all fly charter flights into and out of Woolsey.

Types of aircraft served: Woolsey is a publicly-owned public use airport with private and charter flights, but no airline operation. Woolsey is often used by the U.S. Coast Guard for training with occasional training flights by the Air National Guard and the Navy. The airport is also popular with powered paraglider pilots and skydivers, and many private pilots fly in and camp at the airport. 

Fun fact: The airport was named in honor of Captain Clinton F. Woolsey, a well known WWI Army pilot and flying instructor. Woolsey died in a tragic accident over Buenos Aires, Argentina, in February 1927 during the Pan-American Goodwill Flight. His funeral in Northport was attended by more than 2,000 people from around the world. Land for the airport was donated by Woolsey’s father, including the historic terminal building, which was originally a creamery.

Frankfort Dow Memorial Airport (FKS), Frankfort, MI

Runway Information: FKS has a paved, 4,050-by-75-foot runway.

Number of aircraft and/or passengers served: The airport had 2,226 operations or enplanements in 2024.

Types of aircraft served: FKS is a public airport without a commercial Fixed Based Operation (FBO) but does accept commercial traffic. Aircraft can include single-engine airplanes, helicopters, and gliders.

Fun fact: Per the Benzie County Record Patriot and National Soaring Museum, FKS has a long history of glider activity beginning in the 1930s. It was the home of the Frankfort Sailplane Company, which manufactured the first designated military training glider. FKS hosted two national soaring meets and numerous Midwest gliding contests, and the Northwest Soaring Club operated there for several decades.

Torchport Airpark, Kewadin, MI

On the runway: Runway 4/22 is 2,400 feet of turf, and Runway 9/27 (which was formerly turf) is currently under construction with completion to be done in May 2025. It will be 3,000 feet paved with pilot controlled lighting including Precision Approach Path Indicators.

Number of aircraft and/or passengers served: The average is about 100 per year. 

Types of aircraft served: Torchport is a privately owned, public use community airport. 

Fun fact: Torchport is nestled between the shores of Lake Michigan and Torch Lake, the world’s third most beautiful lake according to National Geographic. The airport hosts an annual charity fly-in on Memorial Day weekend to fight hunger in northern Michigan, an event that includes fireworks, skydiving, a pancake breakfast, and more.

Wexford County Airport (KCAD), Cadillac, MI

Runway information: Wexford County Airport hosts two runways. The primary runway, RWY 07/25, is a 5,000-by-100-foot paved runway featuring an ILS approach on runway 07 and an RNAV approach on both 07 and 25 ends. KCAD also offers RWY 18/36, a 2,000-by-150-foot turf runway. In the winter (depending on the snow conditions), 18/36 provides a landing spot to aircraft equipped with skis.

Number of aircraft and/or passengers served: Per FlightAware, Wexford County Airport averages around 20 operations a day throughout the year which adds up to roughly 7,500 operations.

Types of aircraft served: The airport supports many types of aviation including business aviation, recreational aviation, package logistics, aviation training, military, medical transport, agricultural aviation, and firefighting aviation. While there is no commercial passenger service, there are a number of charter flights in and out of Wexford County Airport supporting business and tourism.

Fun fact: The Wexford County Airport was founded on November 26, 1928, when Mr. William L. Saunders, the head of the Cummer-Diggin Lumber Company, donated the land for the airport to the City of Cadillac.