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Detroit Metro Airport Willow Run Airport Business

About DTW

Stats Our History Awards Accreditations News Quick Links

A Leading Gateway for Global Travel and Local Growth

10.2B

Dollars in annual economic impact

125+

Nonstop destinations and growing

31M

Annual passengers served by the airport

500+

Employees ensuring an optimal travel experience

Learn About Detroit Metro Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is a major international hub, offering more than 800 daily flights across three continents. Operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), DTW is complemented by nearby Willow Run Airport (YIP), a key facility for corporate, cargo, and general aviation. Together, these airports fuel Michigan’s economy, supporting and sustaining over 86,000 jobs statewide.

Keep scrolling to view the timeline!

1929

Groundbreaking for Wayne County Airport. The groundbreaking for Wayne County Airport occurs in April 1929.

1930

Wayne County Airport Grand Opening. On September 4, 1930, Wayne County Airport opens at the corner of Middlebelt Road and Wick Road in Romulus, Michigan.

1940

Military Occupation: Romulus Army Air Field. Control of the Wayne County Airport is assumed by the U.S. Army for use as a staging base for transport of military aircraft to Europe. The U.S. Army constructs new hangars, runways and other facilities. The airport is renamed Romulus Army Air Field.

1943

Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). In all, 107 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) are assigned to Romulus Army Air Field to ferry aircraft across the United States.

1944

End of World War II. The U.S. Army announces its plans to release the airport.

1947

Wayne County Airport is renamed Detroit-Wayne Major Airport and expands to four square miles.

1956

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announces Detroit is one of the cities to receive long-range radar through the CAA’s $246 million program to prepare the nation for civil jet transports. For minimum delay and maximum safety, the new detection device enables CAA controllers to scan for aircraft up to 200 miles away.

1958

Detroit-Wayne Major Airport becomes Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Also, Terminal 1 opens.

1966

Terminal 2, known as the North Terminal, opens. By June 1966, the final commercial air carriers move from nearby Willow Run Airport (YIP) to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. This brings the number of scheduled passenger airlines at DTW to 13.

1967

Terminal 1 is renamed the L.C. Smith Terminal after Leroy C. Smith, an airport founder.

1974

The Michael Berry International Terminal is built. Berry served as a Wayne County Road Commissioner and played a key role in the airport’s expansion.

1975

Terminal 2 (North Terminal) is renamed J.M. Davey Terminal, in honor of former Detroit Metropolitan Airport Manager James M. Davey.

1978

Deregulation is enacted, taking control away from the government. Airlines are now allowed to set their own fares and routes.

1986

Northwest Orient and Republic merge to form Northwest Airlines, creating a hub at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

1992

The FAA takes control of its new $15 million Air Traffic Control Tower. At 250-feet, it is the tallest ATCT in the Great Lakes Region.

1996

Wayne County and Northwest Airlines announce plans to build a new Midfield Terminal.

1997

Crosswinds Marsh, a 1,000-acre public park, opens in Sumpter Township. The nature preserve replaces wetlands disturbed at Detroit Metropolitan Airport during major capital improvements, including new runway construction.

2001

Runway 4L/22R opens, giving DTW a runway configuration of four parallel and two crosswind runways.

2002

Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s Midfield Terminal opens and is named after Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara. Senate Bill 690, which is adopted by the Michigan Legislature as Act 90, establishes the Wayne County Airport Authority to manage Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Willow Run Airport, Crosswinds Marsh and The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The hotel is located inside the McNamara Terminal.

2003

Willow Run Airport receives the Balchen/Post Award for Excellence in the performance of airport snow and ice control in the Large General Aviation category.

2005

The J.M. Davey Terminal is demolished to make room for a new North Terminal.

2008

The new North Terminal opens at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, while the Smith and Berry terminals are retired as passenger facilities. Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines officially merge in 2008, making Delta the hub airline at DTW by 2009.

2010

Detroit Metropolitan Airport ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction among large airports in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

2011

The Airport Authority Fire Department becomes the first in the nation to earn an international accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). CFAI promotes professional excellence in firefighting and emergency services.

2012

The Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) opens to significantly reduce noise in neighboring communities, when jet engines are tested at DTW after maintenance.

2014

A study by the University of Michigan-Dearborn determines Detroit Metropolitan Airport generates $10.2 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 86,000 jobs across Michigan.

2017

The Airport Authority’s administrative staff officially moves from the former L.C. Smith Terminal into the newly constructed Michael Berry Administration Building, adjacent to the North Terminal.

2019

Airports Council International (ACI) selects DTW as one of the best airports by size and category (25-40 million passengers) in North America for customer service. The award is one of the highest honors in the aviation industry.

2019

DTW is awarded first place in Customer Satisfaction for Mega Airports by J.D. Power. This annual study surveys passengers in six categories (in order of importance): terminal facilities; airport accessibility; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.

2019

DTW achieves Level Three of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program proving the team’s commitment to working with its internal and external stakeholders to create a sustainable airport.

2019

DTW launches the Art in the Airport program. The first phase includes 24 reproductions from the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside│Out program.

2022

The North Terminal is renamed the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal on April 4, 2022, in honor of Wayne County Executive Evans’ dedication to public service.

2022

Two new programs are implemented with customers in mind, DTW Dogs Pet Therapy and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs, to help ease the stress of traveling.

2022

DTW achieves Level Two of the Airports Council International’s Customer Experience Accreditation.

2022

The Wayne County Airport Authority organizes inaugural DTW Golf Classic raising $175,000 for Alternatives for Girls, a Detroit-based nonprofit.

2023

DTW earns the 2022 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for “Best Airport of 25 to 40 million passengers in North America.”

2023

Sun Country Airlines, WestJet and Icelandair all begin new scheduled air carrier service within the space of one month, bringing the total to 16 passenger airlines at DTW.

2023

DTW is ranked number one in customer satisfaction for mega airports according to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. DTW also earned the J.D. Power Award in 2019 and 2010.

2023

In November, DTW welcomes Turkish Airlines, increasing the number of scheduled passenger carriers to 17.

2024

YIP receives the 2023-2024 Balchen/Post Award for Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow and Ice Control in the Large General Aviation Airport category. This award is one of the highest honors in the aviation industry.

Excellence Recognized: Awards That Define Our Commitment

Airports Council International (ACI)

Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award

Best Airport of 25 to 40 million Passengers, North America

2022
2020
2018

Best New Retail Concept – 1st Place Frivolous (Operated by Delaware North)

2019

Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience Finalist in Print Communications, WCAA COVID-19 Safe Workplace Playbook

2020

Excellence Recognized: Awards That Define Our Commitment

Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has earned widespread recognition for delivering exceptional passenger experiences and operational excellence. Our commitment to service quality, safety, and innovation has been acknowledged by leading industry organizations and travel authorities.

Mega Airport Category

2023
2022
2017

Airports Council International (ACI)

Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award

Best Airport of 25 to 40 million Passengers, North America

Mega Airport Category

2024
2018

J.D. Power and Associates

Highest Customer Satisfaction – North America

Mega Airport Category

2023
2019

Large Airport Category

2010

Air Cargo World

Air Cargo Excellence

Gold (Airports up to 399,999 tonnes)

2019

Air Transport Research Society

Airport Efficiency Excellence Award – North America

2023
2022

American Association of Airport Executives

Airport Fire Rescue Achievement Award

Great Lakes Chapter

2019

American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan

Merit Award Engineering

Rogell Drive Reconstruction

2019

American Public Works Association of Michigan

Project of the Year in Structures $1 Million to $5 Million

DTW Emergency Retaining Wall Repairs

2020

Balchen/Post Award

Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow and Ice Control

Winner, Willow Run Airport

2023 – 2024; 2020 – 2021; 2002 – 2003

Winner, Detroit Metropolitan Airport

1994 – 1995; 1980 – 1981

Honorable Mention, Willow Run Airport

2019 – 2020; 2017 – 2018; 2004 – 2005

Honorable Mention, Detroit Metropolitan Airport

2023 – 2024; 2021 – 2022; 2019 – 2020; 2009 – 2010; 2006 – 2007; 2004 – 2005; 2000 – 2001

Envision™

Gold Award

Reconstruction Runway 3L/21R and Associated Taxiways

2019

Government Finance Officers Association

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

2022 (18th consecutive year)

Michigan Concrete Association

Award of Excellence

Runway 5R/23L and 9/27 Decoupling at Willow Run Airport

2022

National Association of Professional Canine Handlers

Narcotic Detection Team of the Year

Officer Erik Johansen and K-9 Bo

2019

Transportation Security Administration

Partnership Award

Outstanding Partnership and Support COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Secret Service

Appreciation Award

Creation of Wayne County Airport Authority Dignitary Protection Detail

2020

Our Accreditations

Airports Council International (ACI)

Airport Carbon Accreditation, Level 3

2019 – 2020

Airport Carbon Accreditation, Level 2

2018

Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, Level 3

2025 – 2026

Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, Level 2

2022 – 2024

Airport Customer Experience, Airport Health Accreditation

2021 – 2022

Center for Public Safety Excellence

International Accreditation

Commission on Fire Accreditation International

2022 – 2027 (Third Accreditation)

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies

2021 (renewal)

GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation

Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA

2023
2022

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

LEED Certification

2020

Featured News from DTW

Explore the latest news and announcements from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan’s busiest airport, connecting over 30 million passengers annually through world-class terminals and global flight routes.