About

The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is located 68 miles northwest of Chicago and encompasses over 3,000 acres. State-of-the-art facilities, coupled with runway lengths of 10,000 ft. and 8,200 ft., allow RFD to land any jet aircraft operating in the world today – even under the most adverse conditions.

RFD is also home to a rapidly growing air cargo industry, including UPS’ largest regional parcel-sorting center. The airport campus also encompasses an aviation maintenance repair facility capable of servicing next-generation aircraft, as well as an aviation maintenance program that is turning out a well-trained and skilled workforce.

By creating a vision for the future, taking well calculated and thought out risks, and building strong partnerships and relationships at the local, state and federal level, RFD remains one of the strongest economic drivers in the region. Thousands of new jobs have been created in the last three years to support air cargo operations and aviation maintenance.

RFD is also creating opportunity for businesses through Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #176. The Greater Rockford Airport Authority is a grantee for FTZ #176 and companies in the region can apply to become a Foreign Trade Zone or subzone. FTZ #176 is one of Northern Illinois’ most valuable assets for companies that engage in international trade. They help to reduce the cost of manufacturing, making domestic manufacturing more cost competitive than overseas production. In essence, they help level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers competing in the global economy.