Illini Flyer Newsletter

Illini Flyer

Fly Champaign-Urbana News & Updates

2024 | Winter/Spring Newsletter

Director's Corner

Tim Bannon, AAE - Executive Director

University of Illinois – Willard Airport

It’s been a challenging, and exciting, time at the University of Illinois – Willard Airport. We have faced the most significant weather events in the Airport’s history with last summer’s derecho – we have completed repairs, some of which have resulted in noticeable upgrades to the passenger experience.

We’re thrilled to welcome Ion Grove Café to the Airport terminal, which will open this spring in our gate area. The location not only offers healthy and local meal choices to our travelers, but also brings exciting innovation in the form of one of the first robot coffee baristas at an airport.

Willard Named Illinois Airport of the Year

For the first time ever, Willard Airport is ranked number one. The State of Illinois named it the “2023 Primary Airport of the Year.” It’s the culmination of many years of work to bring the Airport up to the high standards of the community it serves.

Ion Grove Café Set to Open in Gate Area

You’ll soon be able to pick up a quick meal, a soda, or even a cappuccino made by a robot barista, just before you board your flight at Willard Airport. Locally owned Ion Grove Café will begin serving passengers in the gate area by spring.

New Advisory Board Charts Future Path

The Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has appointed a new, formal advisory board to oversee Willard Airport. The board includes several community leaders, all with an eye towards growing Willard’s impact on central Illinois.

Terminal Upgrades Following Damaging Derecho

The derecho that tore through central Illinois last summer did nearly $1 million in damage to the airline terminal at Willard Airport. Today, repairs are complete, and you’ll notice brand new lighting, a brighter overall environment, and a more modern feel throughout the terminal.

Airport Working with Community to Raise Funding for Vacation Flights

Willard Airport is always working to secure additional flights. Coming off the successful effort to upgrade all American Airlines flights to larger, two-class jets, the Airport is working with the University of Illinois, the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, and Experience Champaign-Urbana to raise funds to incentivize flights to vacation destinations to places like Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.

University of Illinois - Willard Airport iflycu.com