Master Plan

Welcome

Willow Run Airport provides area residents and business with access to convenient and efficient cargo shipment, general aviation, and other related operations. The Master Plan Study Update is an on-going study to define the Airport’s short-and long- term development needs in order to continue providing the best possible service to their customers throughout the world. The Master Plan Study Update focuses on the future and maintaining the Airport’s role as a regional economic driver.

The Master Plan Study Update process will assess expected growth in activity, determine the existing facilities’ ability to meet that future demand and identify potential development solutions.

History

Originally constructed in 1941, Willow Run was developed to support production of the B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II. The original airfield consisted of six runways, three of which remain today. The main hangar at the airport was used as a passenger terminal from 1946 to 1966, when Willow Run served as the primary commercial service airport for the region. For the next several decades following the development of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Willow Run was used exclusively by corporate and private general aviation (GA) aircraft. More recently, on-demand air cargo operators specializing in transportation of automotive-related parts and supplies and other freight began to use the facility.

Willow Run Fuels the Economy in Michigan

Willow Run currently serves as a “reliever” airport, serving general aviation and corporate aviation activity and on-demand cargo operations that cannot be efficiently accommodated at DTW. It is situated on approximately 2,600 acres of land in Ypsilanti Township and Van Buren Township north of I-94 and southeast of Michigan Avenue. Willow Run straddles Wayne and Washtenaw counties. The Airport typically handles over 200,000,000 lbs. of cargo annually, making it one of the nation’s largest airports for landed air freight flown by exclusively cargo aircraft. The airport represents a significant economic asset and has the ability to drive additional economic development within the region. The facilities, workers and businesses operating at Willow Run are responsible for an economic impact of over $123 million at an annual rate, adding $40 million to area incomes and supporting 950 jobs in southeastern Michigan. For more information about the economic impact of Willow Run Airport, click here.

Airport Master Plan

The Master Plan Study Update focuses on the future and maintaining the Airport’s role as a regional economic driver. The Master Plan Study Update process will assess expected growth in activity, determine the existing facilities’ ability to meet that future demand and identify potential development solutions. This site has been designed as a resource to provide information on the Master Plan Study Update to stakeholders and the general public. Please explore the site and contact us with your questions, comments and feedback.