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As Michigan's
northernmost airport, Houghton County Memorial
Airport (CMX), is located in Houghton County
right in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula
just 4 miles from the cities of Houghton/Hancock
and 7 miles from Calumet. The airport's location
provides essential access to the national air
transportation system for approximately 50,000
to 55,000 passengers annually within the
four-county area of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga
and Ontonagon.
 The Airport was
constructed through a co-operative agreement
(known as the Canadian Michigan Exchange, thus
CMX)
between the dominion of Canada, the United
States Government, the State of Michigan and
Houghton County. The planning and construction
of the Houghton County Memorial Airport is
indicative of the friendly association enjoyed
by the two great nations for over 130 years. The
Airport serves to perpetuate that
neighborliness. "Houghton County
Memorial Airport is dedicated to the memory of
those who served their country in time of war."
In September of 1948, over 20,000 people
gathered for the airport dedication ceremony.
On October 30, 1968, the Houghton County
Airport Authority was established with the full
responsibility for operating, maintaining and
development of the airport. Soon after
(1972-1974), significant improvements to
facilities and infrastructure at the airport
were completed. New hangars, state of the art
maintenance, a fire station, a new terminal and
an Airport Industrial Park were constructed.
On July 26, 1989, the Houghton County
Airport Committee was formed and the Airport
Authority was abolished. The Airport Committee
was made up of 3 members of the Houghton County
Board of Commissioners. Currently, the Airport
Committee, serving under the Houghton County
Board of Commissioners, is responsible for the
operation, maintenance and development of the
Airport.
Since its inception in 1948,
Houghton County Memorial Airport has come a long
way. At that time, the Airport was comprised of
a small terminal building, two light strength
runways and a taxiway. Fast forward to 2013 and
the existing runway configuration is capable of
landing aircraft as small as a Cessna and as
large as a B737. The Keweenaw is well known for
its unpredictable and challenging weather
conditions which is why a full Instrument
Landing System (ILS) was installed allowing
aircraft to safely land during bad weather. In
1972, a new terminal building totaling
approximately 12,550 square feet was constructed
and provides air service passenger facilities.
Transient pilot facilities and several heated
hangars are available for use. Currently,
passenger air Service is provided by United
Airlines via SkyWest Airlines with two daily
non-stop flights to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
Royale Air Service provides seasonal air charter
service to Isle Royal National Park while
approximately 3,000 corporate, charter and
transient aircraft use the airport annually.
Cargo operations are provided by FedEx and UPS
with more than 600,000 pounds of freight hauled
in and out of the airport annually. The Houghton
County Memorial Airport is approximately 2,400
acres and hosts a 204 acre Industrial Park with
the necessary infrastructure and utilities ready
for hookup.
The airport serves as the
gateway to the Keweenaw providing reliable
service, capable of meeting the needs of the
community, while providing a foundation for
economic development and future expansion.
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