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Airport near Lansing, Michigan

Capital Region International Airport , formerly Lansing Capital City Airport, is a public, Class C airport located 3 mile (5 km) northwest of downtown Lansing in a portion of DeWitt Township, Michigan that has been annexed to the City of Lansing via Public Act 425. Small areas of the airport are located in Watertown Township, and Delta Township. It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021, in which it is categorized as a non hub primary commercial service facility. The airport is owned and operated by the Capital Region Airport Authority, an eight member governing board. Three members represent Ingham County and three members represent the City of Lansing. Two ex officio members represent Eaton County and Clinton County. The Airport Authority also oversees nearby Jewett Field (TEW) in Mason. The Airport Authority reported 180,385 scheduled passengers and 8,085 charter passengers flew to or from the airport in 2021. In 1919, the first airfield in Lansing opened approximately 1 mile (2 km) west of downtown. The second airfield opened the following year 2.5 mile (4 km) south of downtown. From 1922 to 1926, Lansing's airport was Creyts Field, located 1 mile (2 km) west of the current airport. The field was operated by Chamber of commerce Secretary Charley Davis. In 1925, Lt Harry Warner arrived in Lansing to help Davis and others select the current site for Capital City Airport. The selected site was a state owned hayfield and marsh (known as Chandler's Marsh), originally planned to be a boys' vocational school. The first planes flew from the site northwest of Lansing on May 1, 1926. The formal dedication of Capital City Airport was held on the weekend of July 14–15, 1928, and was attended by 70,000 people, including arctic explorer George Hubert Wilkins and aviator Carl Eielson. Pilots from Selfridge Field and members of the Michigan National Guard 107th Observation Squadron performed in an exhibition air show. A Stinson Detroiter plane arrived at the airport with Lansing's first air mail delivery on July 5, 1928. Mayor Laird J. Troyer, Chamber of Commerce President Alton J. Hager, and airport committee chairman Clyde B. Smith, among others, were present to witness the plane's arrival. Regular cargo service from Capital City Airport began on July 17, 1928, via Transamerican Airlines. That day pilot C. V. Pickup departed with five sacks of mail en route to New York City. Lansing postmaster Walter G. Rogers was among those present to witness the event. In 1929, J. D. Foster completed construction on a 60 by 120 foot, aircraft hangar, the first building in what would become known as the Francis Aviation Complex at Capital City Airport. By the end of the year, fixed base operators Foster Airways, SKF Air Service, Inc., and Wolverine Flying Service, Ltd. had constructed hangars at the airport. Passenger service commenced on September 1, 1929, by Kohler Aviation Corp. to Detroit and Milwaukee. By 1934, Pennsylvania Airlines and Transport was providing air mail and passenger service to Detroit, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and across Lake Michigan. The Foster Hangar housed a flight school operated by Harvey Hughes from 1934 to 1936. In the late 1930s, Lansing aviator Lt Arthur J. Davis operated Michigan Airways, Inc. out of the hangar. In 1940, the original terminal building, a 100 by 100 foot concrete hangar, and an adjoining office wing at the west end of the airport were built. The airport acquired next to the north side of the airport, and runway 06/24 was extended by 1000 feet (305 m). Pennsylvania Central Airlines began Douglas DC 3 service on June 5, 1940. The same year, the airport unsuccessfully bid for an $8.4 million Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.]]

During the 2000s, Lansing saw flights reduced from 35 to 12 a day. In May 2000 American Eagle Airlines ended its flights to Chicago–O'Hare, eliminating five daily flights and 23 positions at the Lansing airport. Chicago Express/ATA Connection Airlines ended service from Lansing to Midway International Airport (MDW) in 2001. In October 2003 US Airways ended daily flights to its Pittsburgh hub. Continental Airlines suspended its daily flights to Cleveland effective January 2004. In 2005 Midwest Connect ended service to Milwaukee (MKE). In September 2007 Continental Airlines announced three daily flights from Lansing to the airline's hub in Cleveland to begin in May 2008; however, rising fuel costs and the delay of terminal expansion plans at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) caused Continental to suspend these flights before they began. Delta Air Lines announced in July 2008 that it was ending its three daily non stop flights (via Comair) from Lansing to Cincinnati (CVG) effective September 1, eliminating 26 jobs at Lansing's airport. Delta also offered daily non stop flights (via Atlantic Southeast Airlines) from Lansing to Atlanta from 2005 to 2007.

Several low cost carriers had flights at Lansing with varying success. In July 2003, Allegiant Air began nonstop flights from Lansing to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS). The addition of the low cost carrier enabled the average fare from Lansing to drop by 35%. Over the next few years, Allegiant added flights to Orlando/Sanford (SFB) – the airline's second market from Orlando–Sanford – in May 2005 and St. Petersburg Clearwater (PIE) in December 2006. In November 2008 Allegiant announced that it would depart Lansing's airport and move to nearby Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) effective January 2009, citing reduced competition from Detroit Metro Airport and financial incentives as the reasons for the move. In July 2004 Independence Air began nonstop flights from Lansing to Washington, D. C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD). Northwest Airlines soon followed with similar flights to Dulles. Up to 11 direct flights a day were offered from Lansing to Washington, D. C. between the two airlines, with some flights as low as $29. Independence Air left the Lansing market in January 2005, citing high fuel prices and heavy competition from Northwest. In June 2005 Northwest moved their Lansing flights from Dulles to Reagan National Airport (DCA). By January 2006 Northwest canceled this route, leaving Lansing with no direct flights to Washington, D. C. In March 2009 start up carrier JetAmerica (previously known as Air Azul) announced direct flights starting in July 2009 between Lansing, Newark, and Baltimore. However, after delaying the start of flights, the company folded on July 17 without operating a single flight.

There have been several attempts at establishing international passenger service at the airport. In April 2004, Laker Airways Bahamas Ltd. announced flights from Lansing to the Bahamas, with an intermediate stop at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in Columbus, Ohio, to begin that fall. In January 2008, Kenny Tours announced non stop flights from Lansing to Shannon, Ireland, dubbed the Shamrock Express, to begin in June 2008. In both cases, the service was canceled before flights began. Apple Vacations announced in July 2009 that, starting in December, they would offer weekly seasonal flights to Cancún, Mexico on USA3000 Airlines. These were the first non stop international passenger flights from Lansing.

In 2005 a 750 feet (229 m) extension to runway 10R/28L was completed. By November 2008 a 500 feet (152 m) extension to the runway – now 8506 feet (2593 m) – was completed to allow for larger aircraft to use the airport. The $9.9 million project required the temporary closure of nearby DeWitt Road. In January 2008 Capital Region International Airport was designated as an International Port of Entry into the United States, with Customs and Border Protection officers on duty to process international passengers and air freight. By May 2009 a new federal inspection station opened in the terminal, capable of processing 200 passengers per hour. In March 2009 the Federal Aviation Administration announced the planned consolidation of radar control for Lansing's airport, as well as that of airports in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, to nearby Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in 2013. The cost saving move will occur upon completion of Kalamazoo Airport's new air traffic control tower (TRACON). Despite the consolidation, each airport will still maintain its own air traffic control tower. In November 2009 Lockheed Martin, operator of the flight service station located at Capital Region International Airport, announced the closing of the service station, effective February 2010. The Lansing station was one of 13 to close nationwide and provided 25 jobs and $120,000 in annual rent to the airport.

In October 2010 the airport was awarded a U. S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development grant, worth $750,000, to help reestablish nonstop flights from Lansing to Washington, D. C. These grants are designed to promote air service development from smaller markets. Washington, D. C. is the number one end destination from Lansing, according to the Capital Region Airport Authority. In December Sun Country Airlines announced that it would offer non stop flights from Lansing to Minneapolis (MSP) and Washington–Reagan (DCA) beginning in April 2011. The announcement followed the airline being awarded two landing slots at the Washington, D. C. airport by the USDOT. The Minneapolis route is expected to reduce the fares from Lansing Minneapolis an average of 34%, and the Washington, D. C. flights reduced by an average of 21%. In July 2015 Sun Country announced that Minneapolis and Washington, D. C. flights would be discontinued in October. American Airlines resumed the Washington, D. C. flights in July 2016, continuing a slot exemption that Sun Country previously held at Washington–Reagan. The slot exemption, set to expire in October 2019, was extended through October 2023. American Airlines also resumed Chicago flights in August 2016 after a 16 year absence from Lansing. Allegiant Air again operated twice weekly flights to Orlando/Sanford (SFB) from November 2012 through January 2015. President Barack Obama landed at the airport aboard Air Force One on February 7, 2014, to sign the 2014 U. S. Farm Bill at Michigan State University.

In June 2010 Apple Vacations and Sun Country Airlines announced seasonal flights to Cancún, Mexico (CUN/MMUN); Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ/MKJS); Fort Myers (RSW); Orlando (MCO); and Las Vegas (LAS) beginning in December. In May 2011 Apple Vacations and Sun Country Airlines announced seasonal weekly flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ/MDPC) beginning in December and discontinued flights to Fort Myers and Las Vegas (the latter would resume in December 2012). In June 2012 similar seasonal flights to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR/MMPR) were announced starting in February and Montego Bay flights were discontinued. In May 2013 Apple Vacations announced that Frontier Airlines will operate their seasonal international flights from Lansing, beginning in January 2014. The next year Aeroméxico and Interjet operated seasonal flights to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta. Sunwing Airlines resumed seasonal flights to Cancún in December 2015. Miami Air International and Swift Air resumed seasonal flights to Cancún and Punta Cana in December 2016 and 2017 respectively. In January 2011 the Airport Authority, city of Lansing, and DeWitt Township announced a 50 year 425 land, tax, and services agreement at the airport between the city and township. In July 2011 Eastern Michigan University announced that its flight training program would begin operating out of the Lansing airport in September, coinciding with the elimination of Lansing Community College's aviation flight program. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) installed a full body millimeter wave scanner at the airport in October. The TSA began offering pre check clearance at the airport in April 2015.

Airline startup Avelo Airlines launched flights from Lansing to Orlando in October 2022. The airline initially operated the route two times per week. The route was launched alongside a nearly identical route to Kalamazoo. Lansing is part of Avelo's plan to connect unique city pairs in underserved markets, especially focusing on "small hometown airports." The airline used Boeing 737 aircraft bigger than the regional jets flown by other carriers.

The Mid Michigan Business Travel Coalition, Inc., formerly the Lansing Regional Business Travel Trust, was formed by the Airport Authority and the Lansing Regional Chamber of commerce in 2004. A coalition of the local business, education, and government community, the Travel Coalition seeks to promote the airport through negotiations with air carriers and area promotions. In December 2011 the airport, city of Lansing, and DeWitt Township received Next Michigan Development Corporation – or Aerotropolis – designation, designed to encourage economic development within 1 mile (2 km) of the airport. The plan includes a 50 year 425 land, tax, and services agreement between the city and township. In October 2018 the airport announced the establishment of a Lansing Brewing Company themed restaurant and bar, and a new coffee cafe, to open in late 2019.

Capital Region International Airport covers The Concierge Travel Center offers the ability to book airline tickets, cruises, hotels, tours, foreign currency exchange, and limousine rentals.

The Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics is located along the airport's southeast ramp. The Michigan State Transportation Commission meets at the airport monthly; the Michigan Aeronautics Commission meets at the airport bimonthly.

The airport has both short and long term parking lots, with a combined capacity of 1,500 parking spaces. There is a 15 minute grace period in the short term parking lot. The short term lot is closer to the terminal building, though the long term lot generally provides lower rates. Several area hotels participate in the airport's "Park and Fly" program, in that they offer special room rates and free shuttle service for airport patrons.

Cargo tenants at Capital Region International Airport moved of cargo in 2019. UPS Airlines is a worldwide cargo carrier owned by United Parcel Service. The majority of cargo flights are on Airbus A300F4 600, MD 11F and Boeing 767 300F aircraft. Superior Aviation provided aircraft sales, maintenance, IFR certifications, flight training, and 24 hour air charter services.

Lansing's airport is accessible by road from Grand River Avenue to the south (main entrance), Airport Road from the west, and DeWitt Road from the east. The airport is close to freeways I 69 (exits 84, 85), I 96 (exit 90), I 496 (exit 3), and U. S. Highway 127 (exit 82B). From downtown Lansing, traffic can follow Business Loop I 96 to the airport. Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Bus Route 14 runs between the airport and downtown Lansing. To get to East Lansing or the Michigan State University campus, riders may transfer from the Lansing downtown end of Route 14 onto Route 1, Route 4, or Route 15. A CSX Transportation rail line is located at the south end of the airport. The railroad runs from Grand Rapids to Detroit. Short term and long term parking are available at lots close to the terminal building, as well as several car rental agencies and taxi services.

On July 17, 1985, a single engine plane, piloted by a passenger, landed at the airport after the pilot suffered a fatal heart attack. The plane, which departed from Flint, incurred a damaged nose and blown tire upon landing. The pilot of a nearby plane flew alongside and guided the troubled aircraft to the airport. In February 1988, Kenneth Hasson, of Los Angeles, was arrested for bringing of cocaine, worth $11 million, through the airport. Hasson and an accomplice were sentenced to life terms in prison. On May 20, 1990, a Piper PA 28 181 crashed in East Lansing on approach to the Lansing airport, fatally wounding the pilot. The single engine plane, en route from Mason, encountered instrument problems and cloudy conditions. On February 11, 1991, a Glasair 3 two passenger plane skidded off a runway into a field after experiencing problems with the landing gear. The plane caught fire; however, the pilot and passenger were not injured. On August 23, 1991, about 250 hamsters and gerbils shipped from Mississippi chewed through packing boxes, escaped, and scattered throughout Lansing's airport. On September 27, 1993, a Midwest Flying Service Aero Commander 690A twin engine turbo prop crashed near Lansing en route to Battle Creek shortly after takeoff. The plane was experiencing electrical problems and reportedly changed direction and altitude continually before colliding with trees. The crew of two was killed. On June 6, 1996, Continental Express flight 3123 from Cleveland sustained minor damage from a small cockpit fire en route to Lansing. The Beech 1900 aircraft landed safely in Lansing with no injuries to the two crew and 16 passengers. On November 24, 2004, Northwest Airlines Flight 1933 from Detroit slid off the runway into a field. The flight had been delayed due to inclement weather. No injuries were reported. On July 22, 2007, Northwest Flight 619 to Minneapolis had to return to Lansing after takeoff due to smoke appearing in the cockpit. No injuries were reported. On April 18, 2008, a Beech twin engine airplane flying from Tomahawk, Wisconsin, sustained heavy damage when its landing gear retracted while landing. No serious injuries to the pilot and passenger were reported. On July 5, 2009, a Cessna single engine airplane made an emergency landing after circling the airport for 45 minutes due to faulty landing gear. The plane was damaged; the pilot and two passengers were not injured. On February 14, 2010, Delta Connection flight 3679 with 35 passengers returned to the airport terminal after a passenger became unruly and tried to exit the plane while taxiing prior to takeoff. The Bombardier CRJ200, en route to Detroit, was delayed for three hours. The passenger was detained by airport police and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. On June 10, 2010, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official noticed a deceased person in a vehicle parked in the airport's long term parking lot. The driver, a victim of a suicide, parked the vehicle on February 25 and was not in plain view. On November 27, 2012, a Cessna 177RG lost power during takeoff on runway 10R/28L. The plane made an emergency glide landing on the west end of the runway, closing the runway for one hour and canceling a Delta Connection flight from Detroit. The pilot and two passengers were hospitalized with back pain. On October 3, 2019, five people were killed and one was critically injured when a small plane crash landed at the airport. On August 24, 2021, a single engine Cirrus Vision SF50 crashed near the airport and was engulfed in flames. All four passengers escaped with no injuries. The incident is currently under investigation. On August 15, 2023, an Ameriflight Beech Model 99 crashed after takeoff from Lansing. The sole pilot onboard was not injured. Thee crash is under investigation.