RFD Labeled ‘Chicago’s Best-Kept Secret’ in International Magazine

Rockford, Ill. – The secret is out about Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) as International magazine Airports of the World highlights RFD in its October cover story, Chicago’s Best-Kept Secret. The feature details RFD’s growth and success in its cargo, diversion and passenger business functions. Airports of the World is the only bi-monthly consumer publication that examines the global airport scene.

RFD’s focus on affordable leisure destinations combined with simple amenities such as free parking, free wireless and short processing times, has led to record passenger growth. As RFD celebrates the ten-year return of passenger service, more than 1.7 million passengers have passed through its gates - statistics that caught the attention of Airports of the World and prompted the in-depth story on RFD’s formula for success.

“We are thrilled to be featured in this international publication with the opportunity to tout our services,” said Mike Dunn, RFD Executive Director. “We are proud of what we have built at RFD. We don’t want to be a secret; we want people to know they have a third option that promises to be hassle-free. We like to say your vacation starts when you arrive here.”

The article also explores the other key ingredient to RFD’s success - cargo operations. Home to UPS’s second largest North American hub, RFD is also rated among the top 25 cargo airports in the United States. While other airports have decreased cargo operations, RFD’s operations have increased. In fact, the airport is currently in the midst of a multiphase runway reconstruction project that when finished will allow the airport to handle even more air cargo flights.

Dunn shared his insight in the article on cargo growth, “We’ve made significant investments in our infrastructure to bring cargo growth to RFD and have proven our time and cost saving measures to carriers that have run tests at the airport. We’ll continue moving forward with these airlines to reach our primary goal of securing their ongoing business.”

RFD is the diversion airport of choice for more than 30 airlines using Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports. RFD has built a reputation that airlines can rely upon - when other airports are closing due to adverse weather, RFD is welcoming the planes with open arms.

“Despite the amount of snow we receive in Northern Illinois, we have never closed because of it,” mentioned Dunn in the article.

RFD is served by two airlines: Allegiant and Apple Vacations. RFD serves eight non-stop destinations including Cancun, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana and Tampa Bay. RFD was named the 2013 Primary Airport of the Year by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics. For more information on RFD and flight schedules, visit FlyRFD.com.