Grand Rapids Airport was first established in the late 1920s when the city of Grand Rapids began to experience an increase in population and demand for air travel. The airport initially began as a grass strip, but it soon became a hub for commercial flights. In 1937, the airport was officially designated as a commercial airport and it eventually grew to become one of the busiest airports in Michigan.
The airport underwent several expansions throughout its history to accommodate the growing number of passengers and aircraft. In 1943, two additional runways were added to accommodate larger airplanes. In 1968, a new terminal was opened to accommodate more travelers and airlines. This terminal included larger gates and more efficient ticketing systems. By 1975, there were over 15 airlines operating out of Grand Rapids Airport with over 100 daily departures and arrivals.
The airport continued to expand its services through the 1980s by offering more flights and destinations for travelers. By the early 2000s, Grand Rapids Airport had become one of the busiest airports in Michigan with over 175 daily departures and arrivals from 30 different airlines serving nearly 20 million passengers per year.
In recent years, Grand Rapids Airport has continued its commitment to providing top-notch services for travelers by expanding their terminal building to include retail stores, food courts, lounges, baggage claim areas, security checkpoints, and other amenities necessary for air travel today. The airport also provides a variety of ground transportation options including taxis, shuttles, limousines, rental cars, buses and trains that make getting around town easier than ever before.
GRR is the abbreviation code for Grand Rapids Airport. According to Abbreviation Finder, GRR can also mean:
Grand Rapids, MI Airport (GRR)
The Grand Rapids Airport, also known by the name of Gerald R. Ford International Airport is to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the second busiest aviation hub of the US state of Michigan. It is located in Kent County, which is in the southwest of the state.
- URL: Grand Rapids, MI (GRR)
- Time zone: GMT -5
- Service phone: +1 616 233-6000
- Address: Grand Rapids – Gerald R. Ford International Airport, 5500 44th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512-4055, USA
- Operator: Kent County Department of Aeronautics
- Parking: Yes, chargeable, short-term and long-term parking
- Nearby cities: Grand Rapids (15 km), Lansing (81 km)
- Transportation: Either take Interstate 96 to exits # 43, 44 or 46, or take State Highway 6 to exit # 15 and then follow the airport signs.
- Train connections: Take the train to Grand Rapids Amtrak Station and then change to bus route # 17 at Central Station.
- Flight distribution on the days of the week: Monday (15.29%), Tuesday (14.00%), Wednesday (14.51%), Thursday (15.05%), Friday (15.33%), Saturday (11.80%), Sunday (14.02%)
- other spellings: Grand Rapids-MI, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Kent County International, Гранд Рапідс, Гранд Рапидс, Гранд Рэпидс, گرند رپید, غراند رابي), ز, پی پی رز, پی 州 グ زرز, پی 州 ز رز, پی 州 ز زرز, 大 州 ز ز, 그랜드 래 피즈, גרנד רפידס
Most popular destinations from Grand Rapids, MI (flights per week)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, MI (55, 12.36%)
- Atlanta International Airport (39, 8.76%)
- Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport, MN (39, 8.76%)
- Denver International Airport, CO (37, 8.31%)
- New York – Newark Liberty International Airport, NJ (30, 6.74%)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, NC (24, 5.39%)
- Dallas – Fort Worth International Airport, TX (24, 5.39%)
- Philadelphia International Airport, PA (23, 5.17%)
- New York – La Guardia Airport, NY (22, 4.94%)
- Chicago Midway International Airport, IL (16, 3.60%)
- Other (30.58%)
Top airlines (share of take-offs / landings)
- American Airlines (184, 9.49%)
- KLM (179, 9.24%)
- Delta Air Lines (176, 9.08%)
- Aeroméxico (165, 8.51%)
- Virgin Atlantic Airways (153, 7.89%)
- Air France (147, 7.59%)
- United Airlines (129, 6.66%)
- Southwest Airlines (111, 5.73%)
- Korean Air (72, 3.72%)
- Allegiant Air (70, 3.61%)
- Other (28.48%)
Location
The airport is located approximately 9 kilometers southeast of Grand Rapids downtown, on 44th St. SE and Patterson Avenue. The quickest way to get to the airport is via one of the highways. Either via Interstate Highway 96 at the possible exits # 43, 44 or 46 or State Highway 6 at exit # 15, from where the further way to the airport is signposted.
Passengers arriving by train take the train to Grand Rapids Amtrak Station and then from nearby “THE RAPID” Central Station take bus route # 17 (Woodland Mall / Airport) to the airport.