Key Highlights
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There are 33 public-use airports in Maryland. Of these, two airports are run by the Maryland Aviation Administration. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is one of them.
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Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, or BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, is the busiest airport in this area. It has the most passenger traffic.
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The state’s list of airports has large international hubs, many general aviation airports, and smaller regional airports that help serve different communities.
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Martin State Airport is a main general aviation spot on the East Coast and is also home to parts of the Maryland State Police.
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Regional airports like those in Hagerstown and Salisbury give essential air service to people in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.
Introduction
Welcome to Maryland. This is a state known for its long history in flying. There is a mix of airport options here for your travel needs. You can find 33 public-use airports across the state. The airport systems in Maryland are run by different groups. The Maryland Aviation Administration, which is part of the Department of Transportation, owns and runs the two biggest ones. These are Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. With this guide, you can learn more about airports in the “Old Line State” of the United States.
Top Airports in Maryland for Travelers
When you plan your trip to or from Maryland, you will find some good options for flying. The state’s list of airports is made to fit many needs. There are places for big international trips, shorter flights in the region, and even private flights. The top airport for commercial service is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. It sits in a great spot to help people in the large metropolitan area.
This airport is the busiest airport in the region. There, you get the widest range of flights and places to go. But there are other good airports to use too, like Salisbury and Hagerstown. These airports help connect people in their own parts of Maryland. Now, let’s look at the top five airports that make it easy to travel in and out of Maryland.
1. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
As the main airport for the Baltimore and Washington region, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a bustling large hub. Located in northern Anne Arundel County, this airport is a key driver of the state’s economy. The BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport offers hundreds of daily nonstop flights to over 90 domestic and international destinations.
With a dedicated international terminal and an on-site rail station connecting to Amtrak and MARC train services, BWI provides exceptional convenience. The airport boasts a 395,000-square-foot Air Cargo Center and has received awards for its excellent customer service and healthy dining options. Its steady growth in passenger boardings makes it one of the fastest-growing large airports in the country.
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Feature |
Detail |
|---|---|
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Location |
Northern Anne Arundel County |
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Annual Passengers (FY2024) |
Over 27 million |
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Airlines |
36 (including cargo) |
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Daily Flights |
Over 660 commercial flights |
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Parking Spaces |
Over 31,300 |
2. Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport sits in Baltimore County. It is one of the biggest general aviation spots on the East Coast. Most who fly here are private or corporate, but the airport does much for the people. It is the home base for the Maryland State Police and their Aviation Division MED-EVAC. Units from both Baltimore City and Baltimore County police are here too.
The airport has a long past. Glenn L. Martin, the well-known man in aviation, first built it in 1929. Today, there are over 250 aircraft kept here. There are also four flight training schools. You can learn to fly planes or helicopters. The site has repair shops for aircraft and there is also the Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum.
Martin State Airport does not give commercial essential air service. Still, the airport’s terminal building and runways are ready for a lot. Each year, over 96,000 aircraft operations take place here. Its FAA LID is KMTN. This place plays a key part in Maryland’s air world.
3. Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport
Serving Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore, the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) is a key public-use airport. It sits in Wicomico County and gives you easy access to Ocean City and other spots on the East Coast. This airport has scheduled commercial service, so you can get flights that take you to big cities.
Airlines like Piedmont Airlines, who fly as American Eagle, help you get to major hubs. This makes it simple for travelers to fly around the world from the Wicomico Regional Airport. The airport has a good-name for being friendly, and its size is just right, so your trip will be smooth and stress-free.
The airport facilities have a up-to-date terminal building, quick baggage claim, and rental car choices. If you want to visit for a beach getaway, or if you have work on the shore, SBY can be your good and easy pick for travel.
4. Hagerstown Regional Airport
Yes, if you are flying to Western Maryland, Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is the place to go. The airport, found in Washington County, is one of the main airports for the area. It gives people a way to fly in and out without needing to drive to bigger airports in other cities.
The airport has daily flights to large hubs, so you can get to other places in the country and even overseas. In the past, airlines like US Airways Express flew from here, and the airport stays busy today. Its main runway is well kept and can take many kinds of planes.
Hagerstown Regional Airport is a big part of the local economy and helps people get around. The airport helps with general aviation, business trips, and regular flights. That makes it important for lots of people in Maryland.
5. Frederick Municipal Airport
Maryland has a number of general aviation airports, and Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is a great place to see this. This busy airport is open to the local community, and people in Frederick and nearby towns use it often. You will not find commercial airline flights here. But it is a spot where private pilots, corporate jets, and people taking flight training show up.
You will find flight schools at this airport. Many new pilots come here to start flying. Its main runway and other airport buildings are always kept in good shape. Because of this, there are lots of takeoffs and landings every year. This shows how important general aviation is for people who live and work in Maryland. The airport helps the state keep people and goods moving.
Frederick Municipal Airport gives a lot to business travel, flight schools, fun flying, and learning about aviation. It is a good example of how Maryland airports welcome all types of flying—not just big airlines or commercial flights.
Facilities and Services at Maryland Airports
Maryland’s airports have many airport facilities to make your trip easy and nice. When you get there, you will see a lot of things made for people who travel. You can find food, spots to sit and relax, or buy last-minute things you need. The maryland aviation administration works to keep these state-owned airports running well and giving good service.
As passenger traffic grows, these airports keep changing and adding more things for people. You will also see many choices for getting from the airport to where you want to go next. Now, let’s look more at the special things you can find inside these airports and how you can travel from there.
Passenger amenities and lounges
When you travel through airports in Maryland, you will find many helpful airport facilities to make your trip better. At BWI, it is not just about catching your flight. People say good things about the airport facilities at this hub. BWI got the top spot from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine because there are a lot of healthy food options. You can buy healthy meals at over 90% of BWI’s restaurants.
If you need a quiet place to wait, work, or relax before your flight, there are lounges in many airports. These lounges have soft chairs, free drinks or snacks, and Wi-Fi. You can sit back and get away from the busy main area. Even smaller airports in Maryland want travelers to feel safe, welcome, and comfortable. They care about being clean and giving you a good experience.
Some things you will find at Maryland airports include:
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A lot of restaurants, cafes, and shops to pick from.
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Spaces where you can work and stations to charge your electronics.
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Spots that stand out for being clean and safe, like BWI’s STAR accreditation.
Ground transportation options
Getting to and from Maryland’s airports is easy because the ground transportation options are good. The Maryland Department of Transportation makes sure the airport facilities connect to the nearby metropolitan area. For example, BWI Airport has its own rail station. You can use Amtrak or the local MARC train to get in or out of the airport.
With this direct rail access, it is simple to go between the airport and places like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. On top of trains, there are many other transportation options at most airports. This makes it easy for you to reach your next stop or your final spot.
Common ground transportation options include:
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Rental car services from major national brands.
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Taxi and rideshare services (like Uber and Lyft).
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Public bus services and private shuttles to hotels and other key locations.
Conclusion
To sum up, airports in Maryland have many things to help make your travels better. You will find everything you need, from the busy Baltimore/Washington International Airport to the smaller local ones. Each airport gives people something different. If you know about the Washington International Airport and other airports, you can find things like waiting areas and ways to get around on the ground. This can help your trip go well and feel more easy.
No matter if you are visiting for work or fun, being aware of what is there at the airports can help you get ready. Take some time to learn before you go. This will help you feel good about your plans. So, get your things in order, get set to go, and enjoy all that Maryland has for you. If you have questions or want help planning your trip, you can always reach out to get more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland airport has the most commercial flights?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the place with the most commercial flights in Maryland. This airport is the busiest airport in the area. BWI Thurgood Marshall takes care of almost all of the passenger traffic for the state. There are hundreds of daily flights, and the number of passenger boardings keeps going up each year because of its strong commercial service.
Are there regional airports in Western Maryland?
Yes, Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is the main airport for the Western Maryland area. This airport gives people in the community important air service. There are flights that let you connect to big airports. Hagerstown Regional Airport also helps both commercial flights and general aviation. It is an important part of Maryland’s travel system outside the Baltimore-Washington area.
Where can I find official statistics on Maryland airports?
If you want official numbers on Maryland airports, there are a few places you can go to get what you need. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Federal Aviation Administration both have a lot of data for the whole country. This includes information about how many people fly out and other facts. The Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Aviation Administration also put out reports and numbers for a single calendar year. You can look at their data to find out more about passenger enplanements.