Willow Run Airport opens new taxiway

The Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) has completed a new $63.4 million taxiway at Willow Run Airport (YIP), marking a major infrastructure milestone for the airfield. 

The project received $54.6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The program supports airport safety, operational efficiency and capacity enhancements. The federal grants covered nearly 90 percent of eligible costs under the program. The remaining $8.7 million of the project funding was secured through State of Michigan grants.

“The Wayne County Airport Authority is grateful for the FAA’s ongoing support and investment in our infrastructure,” said WCAA CEO Chad Newton. “This funding for the new parallel taxiway at Willow Run Airport is critical to enhancing safety and efficiency.”

Stretching more than 7,500 feet, the newly constructed taxiway runs parallel to YIP’s main runway. The taxiway pavement was completed in three phases, beginning in spring 2023 and wrapping up in October 2025.

The construction of the parallel taxiway is part of a larger overarching initiative to improve the design and operational efficiency at YIP. The Airport Authority also utilized a portion of the AIP funding for the relocation of FAA equipment, a project that spanned eight months and concluded in January 2025.

“With this work complete, Willow Run is even better positioned to support our cargo partners and future development,” said Willow Run Airport Director Michael Fawaz. “We thank our state and federal officials for their ongoing commitment to improving Willow Run.”

Willow Run Airport manages more than 200 million pounds of cargo each year, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading airports dedicated to air freight transport.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed 33 million passengers in 2024. As one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs, DTW offers service from 18 scheduled passenger airlines. Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 800 flights per day to and from more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport earned Airports Council International’s 2020 and 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport by Size and Region (25 to 40 million passengers per year in North America). DTW has also garnered three prestigious awards for customer satisfaction since 2010. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. 

The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations.