Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET) Guide: History, Facts & Redevelopment Plans

The discussion of Detroit's airports mostly centers on the well-known Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. However, there exists another airport nearby, which, despite being a bit obscure, holds an equally interesting history – Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET).

Situated only six miles away from downtown Detroit, this airport has been significant for the development of aviation in the city. Even though it does not serve commercial flights, this airport remains an essential aviation facility in Detroit for general aviation aircraft, air taxis, and aviation instruction programs.

Coleman A. Young International Airport: An Overview

This airport was formerly called Detroit City Airport; however, the 2003 name change was made after the name of the city's longest-serving former mayor, Coleman A. Young. The airport is owned by the City of Detroit and is classified by the FAA as a general aviation airport under the NPIAS

Spanning 264 acres and located at 626 feet above sea level, the airport presently has only one runway in use (15/33), while another runway (7/25) is no longer operational. Although it is relatively small compared to other large international airports, the airport manages to accommodate a high number of aircraft movements, which averages around 80–100 movements per day.

Airport Distance From Coleman A. Young International Airport To Other Airports

A Look Back: History and Evolution

In the past, DET played a far more significant role in Detroit’s aviation landscape. Before the late 1940s, it was Detroit’s main airport, catering to airline services before being transferred to bigger airports like Willow Run and DTW.

At the turn of the century, the airport had many operators; several commuter and regional airlines operated from the airport in the past, but commercial services declined due to operational limitations. The issue of limited runways and other operational difficulties ultimately resulted in the discontinuation of passenger services at the airport.

There were some controversies related to this airport as well. For instance, there were plans for a runway expansion in the late 1980s, but it faced opposition from the cemetery owners around the vicinity of the airport.

Modern Usage and Infrastructure

In today’s time, Coleman A. Young International Airport is an important general aviation airport serving the city of Detroit, and its main users include private pilots and charter companies, along with other aviation-based organizations.

There are several modern facilities present at the airport, including a passenger terminal that covers around 53,000 square feet, featuring essential general aviation facilities, including pilot lounges, administrative offices, and limited passenger amenities.. Moreover, there is a presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices, enabling the airport to facilitate private international flights.

The flight activities carried out at the airport mainly comprise general aviation flights, which constitute around 96 percent of the total flight operations.

Re-development Plans

Recently, there has been a new interest in redeveloping the airport. After the revival of Detroit from the bankruptcy of Detroit in 2013, officials in Detroit have considered methods to update and extend the airport.

The most significant progress was achieved in 2022 when the airport was able to obtain its first Airport Layout Plan in three decades. This helped them secure more than $100 million worth of federal funding over the coming ten years. The plans involved:

• Upgrading the hangars and taxiways

• Reintroducing an air traffic control tower, which was previously decommissioned in 2012

• Enhancing security infrastructure, such as EMAS (Engineered Material Arrestor System)

• Increasing the airport land area through the purchase of lands

Additionally, there is a possibility of using the land for other purposes, including industries and education in aviation. These developments will make the airport a modern aviation and business center in Detroit.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET) has many strengths, but some issues need to be addressed. The lack of commercial flights reduces the visibility of the airport for travelers. Moreover, the infrastructure development process is underway at the moment. However, the airport's advantageous geographical location and proximity to the city center present good chances for future success.

The recent progress, including long-term contracts between the airport and aviation services companies, as well as construction projects, suggests that the airport is heading towards success.

Final Thoughts

Coleman A. Young International Airport is not a place where millions of passengers arrive on a daily basis, like the biggest international airports in the world. Nonetheless, the airport is a unique place that has a long history, performs a valuable function in providing general aviation facilities, and has an interesting future ahead of it.

Thus, if one is interested in Detroit aviation infrastructure, the airport should certainly get one's attention.