Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
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| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Wayne County Airport Authority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serves | Detroit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 645 ft / 197 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°12′45″N 083°21′12″W / 42.21250°N 83.35333°W / 42.21250; -83.35333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2007) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (IATA: DTW, ICAO: KDTW), sometimes called Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Detroit Metro Wayne Airport, Metro Airport, or simply DTW, is a major airportinRomulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest and most preferred airport.
Detroit is a primary worldwide hub of Northwest Airlines, and is also a hub for its Northwest Airlink partners, Mesaba Airlines, Compass Airlines, and Pinnacle Airlines. It is also a base for Spirit Airlines. Operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, the airport is one of the nation's most recently expanded and modernized airports, with six major runways, three terminals, 153 in-service gates,[1] and an attached Westin Hotel and conference center. The airport's McNamara Terminal Concourse A is the world's second-longest airport terminal building at 1.6 km[2] (just barely beaten by the 1.7 km long Kansai International Airport). It has maintenance facilities capable of servicing and repairing aircraft as large as the Boeing 747.
As of April 2007, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the tenth busiest airport in the United States and the nineteenth busiest airport in the world.[3] Metro Airport also serves the Toledo, Ohio, area, which is located approximately 47 miles (76 km) south of the airport, and the city of Windsor, Ontario in nearby Canada.[4]
Detroit Metro Airport will be the first U.S. airport to see regular service by the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it enters service in 2008. Both hub carrier Northwest Airlines and Chinese carrier China Southern Airlines plan to serve the airport with the new aircraft daily by mid-2009. The airport has access to over 130 destinations in Canada, the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Wayne County authorities began planning for a new airport in the western portions of the county as early as 1927, and the county acquired one square mile of land for an aviation facility, to be called Wayne County Airport, at the corner of Middlebelt and Wick Roads on the northeastern corner of today's airport, the following year. Construction was completed in 1929, and the first official landing took place on February 22, 1930. That same year, Thompson Aeronautical Corporation, a forerunner of American Airlines, inaugurated service from Wayne County. From 1931 until 1945, the airport housed Michigan National Guard operations. The original runway (14/32) was later decommissioned. However, parts of it remain today as Taxiway Ark, transversing from southeast of Runway 3L/21R through Runway 9L/27R and ending northwest of Runway 3R/21L.
Between 1947 and 1950, county officials expanded the small airport to become Detroit's primary airport. The airport was renamed Detroit-Wayne Major Airport in 1947 and over the next three years expanded in size threefold as three more runways were built. In 1949, runways 3L/21R and 9L/27R were built and in 1950 runway 4R/22L was built. During this time, most commercial traffic shifted from small Detroit City Airport (now Coleman Young International Airport) northeast of downtown Detroit to the larger Willow Run Airport over twenty miles (32 km) west of the city, and ten miles (16 km) west of Wayne County Airport.
During the early 1950s, Pan-Am and BOAC began operations at Detroit-Wayne Major. 1956 marked a major turning point in the history of the growing airport. American Airlines agreed to shift operations to Detroit-Wayne, doing so two years later, accompanied by four other carriers. Also, the Commercial Aviation Administration (now the FAA) announced that year the inclusion of Detroit-Wayne in the first group of American airports to receive new long-range radar equipment, enabling the airport to become the first inland airport in the United States certified for jet aircraft operations. Also in 1958, the L.C. Smith (South) Terminal was completed to accommodate the new carriers, and the airport was renamed to its present name.
During the next decade, the remaining passenger traffic at Willow Run gradually shifted to Metro Airport, and the North Terminal (later renamed the Davey Terminal) opened in 1966 to accommodate the new arrivals. Growing international traffic necessitated the building of a third terminal, the Michael Berry International Terminal, in 1974. The last of its original three parallel runways (3R/21L) was completed in 1976. A new parallel cross winds runway (9R/27L) opened in 1993.
Republic Airlines began hub operations in 1984, and its merger with Northwest Airlines in 1986 expanded the hub greatly. Transpacific operations began in 1987 with non-stop flights to Tokyo. The last of Metro's six runways (4L/22R) was completed in December 2001. The most recent addition to Metro airport, as well as the most significant, was the opening of the mile-long, 122-gate, $1.2 billion McNamara Terminal in the airport's midfield in 2002.[5]
The present Runway 3L/21R has held four different identifier names. When opened in 1949, it was simply Runway 3/21. With the opening of the new west side Runway 3L/21R in 1950, the original 3/21 was renamed 3R/21L. With the opening of the new east side Runway 3R/21L in 1976, it was renamed 3C/21C. With the opening of Runway 4L/22R in December 2001 and the consequent splitting of the field into two sectors (3/21 on the east and 4/22 on the west) Runway 3C/21C was renamed Runway 3L/21R.
Metro Airport has recently been said to be planning a project which would include an airport rail system, a new runway, and terminal expansions. The FAA projects that air traffic will grow 67% at Detroit Metro over the next 20 years, which would equal to 60 million passengers. The rail system would connect the existing McNamara Terminal and the new North Terminal together via tram. It would also connect an anticipated consolidated rental car facility and a planned regional rail system that would link Metro Airport to Ann Arbor via train. Also, the airport is considering lengthining Concourses B and C in the McNamara Terminal. In order to pay for these projects, the Airport Authority has asked Congress to raise the current $4.50 passenger facility fee to $7.00. Northwest Airlines, the airport hub carrier, opposes utilizing the passenger facility fee to fund the airport rail system.[6]
In late February 2008, the Wayne County Airport Authority proposed a new parallel runway that would be built in the near future. If built, 3,550 residents will have to leave their homes and over 400 local businesses will be forced to close. This runway will add to the airports' already 4 parallel runways and alleviate future congestion.[7]
The Berry Terminal, designed by Detroit architect Louis G. Redstone, was the former international terminal at DTW. All international passengers would arrive at this terminal, go through customs and immigrations, and continue on to their connecting flights by bus to adjacent terminals. With four gates, the terminal is now used for scheduled and charter flights. There are still several international scheduled flights on low cost carriers to destinations in the Caribbean and other warm-weathered places. There are also four charter airlines that use this terminal.[8] Upon completion of the new North Terminal, the Berry Terminal will be demolished.[9]
The following scheduled airlines use the Berry Terminal:
The following charter airlines use the Berry Terminal:
The McNamara Terminal, also referred to as The Northwest WorldGateway, opened on February 25, 2002. It was the replacement for the aged Davey Terminal, which principally housed Northwest Airlines, and during development it was known as the Midfield Terminal.
The terminal is mainly used by Northwest Airlines, but houses several other airlines as well, most of which are affiliated with the SkyTeam airline alliance (of which Northwest is a member). It has three concourses, "A", "B", and "C", which house 122 gates with shopping and dining in the center of "A" concourse (known as "the link"), as well as throughout the concourses. The "A" concourse has a people mover, the ExpressTram, that gets passengers from one end of the mile-long (1.6 km) Concourse A to the other, arriving at three different boarding stations, "Terminal Station" (in the center), "North Station" and "South Station", in a little over three minutes.[10] The McNamara Terminal will also open a new baggage sorting facility in October 2008, which will improve screening of baggage through 14 different x-ray machines with bomb detection devices implemented on the conveyor system. Northwest Airlines hopes this will reduce the amount of lost baggage, and improve the timeliness of bags getting to their correct flight.[11]
The "A" concourse holds 64 gates with 12 gates being used for international departures and arrivals processing.[12] The "A" concourse is intended for all but the smaller Northwest aircraft and all international arrivals. The concourse holds over 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of moving walkways. English and Japanese signage is found mostly throughout the terminal (because of regular flights to and from points in Japan), as well as other languages located in central areas. Various dining options for passengers include Starbucks, Chili's, McDonalds, Little Caesars, Burger King, TCBY, and Max & Erma's near gates A31 - A47, Quiznos, Hungry Howie's, and Mrs. Fields near gates A1 - A30, and Edy's, Jose Cuervo's Tequileria, Mediterranean Grill, Taco Bell, Rio Wraps, Caribou Coffee, and Charley's near gates A49 - A78.
The ten international gates have dual jetbridges for a quicker deplaning time. They also contain two exit configurations depending on the arriving flight. Domestic arrivals follow the upper path directly into the terminal while international arrivals proceed downstairs to customs and immigration. The customs and immigration office located in the terminal's lower level is built to quickly process as many as 3,200 passengers an hour. The immigration office leads back up and out into the lobby in the center of the "A" concourse, where passengers can enjoy the restaurants and shops on the concourse, or continue on their journey to their final destination.
The "B" and "C" concourses currently have fifty-eight gates. The gates are used for Northwest's smaller aircraft as well as Continental and Delta flights. All regional flights have jetbridges, eliminating the need for outdoor boarding. Shops and restaurants in Concourses B and C include Einstein Bros. Bagels, A&W, and Fuddruckers.
The following airlines use the McNamara Terminal:
The Smith Terminal, built in 1957, is the oldest of Metro Airport's terminals. The Smith Terminal's thirty-two gates house North American airlines other than Northwest, Delta, and Continental, which currently are located in the McNamara Terminal.[17] All airlines in this terminal will move to the new North Terminal upon its completion in 2008. At that point, the Smith Terminal will be demolished.[18]. Additional ticketing counters have been set up off to the side to accommodate more airlines than the original construction of the terminal called for.[19]
Northwest Airlines once operated out of this terminal, and Spirit Airlines, which now operates out of many of the gates once used by Northwest, has done few upgrades to the gate areas in those parts of the terminal. The Northwest Airlines display boards near check-in counters at each gate remain in place, with the Northwest logos removed, and a Spirit information board simply affixed over the old display board.
Dismantling of several of the gates in Concourse C of this terminal has already taken place as the construction site of the new North Terminal is directly adjacent to this terminal.[20]
Various dining options in the Smith terminal include Quiznos, Starbucks, Chili's-to-go, National Coney Island, and Detroit To Go Sandwiches.
The following airlines use the Smith Terminal:
The Davey Terminal was built in 1966 and was first known as "Terminal 2" or the "North Terminal". It was renamed the "J. M. Davey Terminal" in 1975 in honor of former airport manager James M. Davey. It contained five concourses labeled C, D, E, F, and G, as well as a hotel.[21] Of those, Concourse C was considered the worst by most travellers due to its long distance from the center of the terminal, and its long length. Most of Concourse C is still in use today by Spirit Airlines.
The Davey Terminal was the principal base of operations for Northwest Airlines before the McNamara Terminal opened. It remained vacant for three years before demolition of the terminal began on October 17, 2005. All concourses of the Davey Terminal and adjoining hotel, except Concourse C, were demolished. The thin, odd layout of its five concourses let little light or sun in, and it was dark and dreary most of the time. It was in poor condition when it was demolished, and few people regret it. The further end of Concourse C was also demolished, but the lower part of the concourse is still in use today as part of the Smith Terminal.[22]
The site of the demolished section of the Davey Terminal is being used as the site of the new North Terminal.[23]
Template:Future airport ex The North Terminal Redevelopment (NTR) Project is a planned 26-gate terminal complex being designed to replace the airport's older Berry and Smith terminals.[24] Construction has been underway since 2005, making the slated opening date September 2008. During that month, all 24 Domestic gates in the terminal will be opened to make room for any airlines flying domestically in the United States. Once all airlines have relocated to the North Terminal, Concourse C of the Smith Terminal will be demolished promptly to make room for a further two international wide-body gates. In Spring 2009, those two international gates and a Federal Inspection Site (FIS) will open to make room for Lufthansa and Royal Jordanian. If need be, the terminal can expand five more gates with the current building. Once all gates have been opened, the McNamara Terminal will exclusively house SkyTeam alliance carriers.
The North Terminal will incorporate two security checkpoints (each with multiple lanes) in a way that will allow smooth operation and screening of passengers.
When complete, the North Terminal will be used to accommodate non-SkyTeam airlines which are:
The North Terminal will also have a Ground Transportation Center which will be directly across from the terminal near the current "Big Blue Deck" parking structure, which will be expanded a further 604 parking spaces.[25]
The McNamara Terminal Parking Structure is an 89-acre (36-hectare) 10-level facility, which opened in February 2002. It is one of the largest parking structures in the world. It includes a ground transportation center, pedestrian bridge, two luggage check-in locations, conveyors and bridges to transport luggage, six restrooms, three offices for parking officials, and two electrical substations. The structure can park 11,489 cars in seven user groups. Parking for the L.C. Smith Terminal (and the North Terminal in the future) is offered in a garage known as the Big Blue Deck.[26]
The airport is accessible from I-94, which is the closest entrance to the Berry and Smith Terminals, and from I-275 via Eureka Road, which is closer to the McNamara Terminal. John D. Dingell Drive (named after John D. Dingell) is an expressway that runs from I-94 to Eureka Road. This expressway was built in 1999 for access to the McNamara Terminal. Many other local roads (including Goddard Road, Northline Road, Ecorse Road, Middlebelt Road, Merriman Road, and Wick Road) all have access to the airport and its surrounding property.[27]
Major rental car companies such as Alamo, Enterprise, and Hertz serve the airport. Taxi and limousine service is provided by local companies.[28]
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) [29] provides bus routes 125 (Fort Street - Detroit) and 280 (Middlebelt Road), one per hour, that connect the airport with the rest of Metro Detroit. There is a continuous curbside shuttle that connects the Smith and Berry Terminals with the McNamara Terminal.
The McNamara and Smith Terminals also have cell phone lots. The McNamara Terminal cell phone lot is located on the south side of Eureka Road between I-275 and the airport entrance ramp. The L.C. Smith and North Terminal cell phone lot is located near I-94 at the Middlebelt Road exit and the on-airport car rental facilities. Both cell phone lots are clearly marked and unattended vehicles are prohibited.[30]
Metro Airport has also introduced a new system (1>2>3 PARK) which enables travelers to pay by swiping their credit or debit card. This new system is simple because it does not need a parking stub to know the duration of the travelers' stay. As of now, the "Big Blue Deck", the surface parking lots, and the McNamara Terminal parking structure currently have and use this new system.[31]
Michigan Flyer provides bus service between the airport and Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Jackson eight times daily (as of October 2007)[32].
The planned SEMCOG Commuter Rail system, with termini at Ann Arbor and Detroit, would stop at the airport and provide rail transportation to and from the city.
Besides its official name, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the airport is colloquially known by other names:[36]
