Chicago Rockford International Airport Statistics

Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) serves as a regional alternative to Chicago's major airports and functions primarily as a cargo hub for the Midwest, connecting Northern Illinois to destinations across the United States through Allegiant Air and handling significant freight operations for UPS Airlines and Amazon Air.

Chicago Rockford International Airport handles approximately 260,000 passengers annually.

• The airport served 262,432 passengers in 2024, surpassing its previous all-time record and representing a 10.2% increase over 2023.
• In 2023, the airport handled 238,166 passengers, showing steady recovery and growth in leisure travel demand.

• In 2025, Allegiant Air accounted for virtually 100% of passenger volume, making it the only scheduled passenger carrier.

• Punta Gorda, FL (PGD) carried 34,010 passengers in 2025, making it the busiest route and a key leisure destination.
• Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (AZA) served 27,550 passengers, maintaining its position as the second-busiest route.
• Orlando/Sanford, FL (SFB) served 23,050 passengers, offering important leisure and theme park connections.
• St. Petersburg/Clearwater, FL (PIE) handled 22,710 passengers, providing essential connectivity to Florida's Gulf Coast.
• Sarasota/ Bradenton, FL (SRQ) carried 15,460 passengers, completing the top 5 destinations.

RFD’s flight cancellation rates have remained relatively low in recent years.

• RFD saw the lowest cancellation rate in 2025, at 0.32%.
• The highest rate occurred in 2020, when 10.07% of flights were cancelled due to pandemic-related disruptions.
• Cancellations dropped sharply in 2021 to 2.36% as operations stabilized.
• The rate improved further in 2022, reaching just 1.36%.
• In 2023, cancellations decreased again to 0.69%.
• However, in 2024 the rate rose slightly to 1.66%, though it still remained well below the 2020 peak.

Chicago Rockford International Airport generates $10-18 million in annual operating revenue, with growth driven by cargo operations.

• Chicago Rockford International Airport generated $18.0 million in FY2025 (year ending April 30, 2025), marking the highest revenue in recent years.
• Revenue grew from $9.4 million in FY2019 to $11.9 million in FY2020 and $12.6 million in FY2021.
• Revenue previously peaked at $16.1 million in FY2022 before moderating in subsequent years and then rebounding to a new record in FY2025.
• In FY2023, the airport generated $13.4 million, which decreased to $12.1 million in FY2024.

• December 17, 2002: A Planemasters Cessna 208B carrying UPS cargo crashed during an ILS approach to Rockford in poor weather. The pilot was fatally injured. The NTSB cited loss of control during approach, with wind shear and adverse weather as contributing factors.¹
• December 23, 2008: An Evergreen Airlines Boeing 747-212B struck a light pole while taxiing at RFD, causing substantial wing damage. No injuries occurred. The NTSB attributed the accident to ground crew failure to maintain adequate clearance.²
• March 12, 2018: A Cessna 182Q was substantially damaged during landing after the pilot became distracted while reaching for an iPad on final approach. The pilot was uninjured. The NTSB cited pilot error during the approach.³
• August 20, 2020: A Beech B200 King Air crashed shortly after takeoff from Runway 19 at RFD, killing the pilot. The NTSB determined the pilot lost control following a reduction in left-engine thrust during takeoff.⁴