KEWL Airport Master Plan

Located approximately 50 miles from downtown Chicago, the Elwood Logistics Airport development plans places it adjacent to logistics transfer centers for two major Class I railroads with connections to all major West Coast ports. The logistics campus has connections with Ocean Carriers, Railroads, Trucking Companies, Shippers, and Third-Party Logistics. 

An approximately 4.23 sq. mi. parcel of land in Jackson Township, Illinois has been secured east of the Village of Elwood center, east of IL Route 53. 

Primarily bordered to the west by an offset from South Coldwater Road, to the south by West Hoff Road, and to the east by Cherry Hill Road. At the western end of the site, the property is bordered to the north for a portion by South Mississippi Road. 

A survey of the site has shown that the entire parcel can support the construction of a dual-runway airport. 

The airport master plan includes the construction of two (2) parallel runways, four (4) cargo terminal buildings with two separate ramp areas, three (3) transport category hangars for maintenance operations, a general aviation ramp area with six (6) hangar buildings each with eight (8) leasable hangars and capacity for up to 50 tie-down aircraft parking and one passenger terminal. Currently, a fuel farm is planned for the space west of the hangar areas and emergency services and snow removal facilities are expected to be developed adjacent to the passenger terminal, but both of these are still in design.   

Description of Runways 

Runway End: 10L/R   

Heading True/Mag (deg): 101/104 

Length x Width (ft) 10,000 ft x 200 ft   

Elevation: 670 ft MSL   

Runway End: 28L/R 

Heading True/Mag (deg): 281/284

 Length x Width (ft): 4,500 ft x 150 ft

Elevation: 670 ft MSL

Elwood Logistics Airport is applying for certification under 14 CFR Part 139 to allow for scheduled air carrier service. In addition, the KEWL includes plans for provisions of the following services: fuel services (100LL and Jet A), hangars and tie-downs, major airframe and power-plant maintenance, avionics service, customs services, and foreign trade zone. Additional considerations are currently in development for charter flights, flight instruction, aircraft rental and sales, and car rentals.

Existing plans for on-airport cargo operations facilities include two main cargo areas (listed in the Table below):

• Four terminal cargo facilities (in two tiers) with more than 800,000 sq.ft. of building space.

• Ramp area able to accommodate up to 10 Boeing 747-800 aircraft, with hydrant fueling in aircraft ramp, aircraft nose loading capability and direct airside tug access to main terminal area.

• Three (3) oversized hangars for maintenance operation accommodating any cargo aircraft type.

• Landside truck have direct access designed for maximum efficiency and segregated from public access areas for additional security.

• Additional plans for perishables processing facility under development.

Air Cargo Terminal Facilities

Ground access to the air cargo facilities are available 24-hours. Airport tower and ramp towers are also planned as 24-hour operational facilities. Four tenants have already signed agreements for occupying the cargo terminal facilities.

• The North Complex will be occupied by the third-party logistics handler, MidAmerica Freight, (in Terminal 1) and the all-cargo airline, GlobAm Freight (in Terminal 2), two Third-Party Logistics companies that will serve movements directly between the airport and the BNSF and UP intermodal facilities.

• The integrated express carrier, UPS Air Freight, is committing to full use and dedicated truck lane entry for Terminal 3 in the South Complex.

• The South Complex will be shared by FBN Air Freight that will operate in Terminal 4

The expected volume of operations for the planned year of 2025 is 500,000 tons. This baseline annual volume will be used to estimate the growth, which is expected to be 2% annually for the first 5 years, and then 3% beyond.

Passenger Terminal Facilities

While the forecast for use of the airport is pessimistic on commercial operations, the Village remains optimistic that significant commercial service will exist at KEWL in a not-too-distant future. The current KEWL Master Plan includes a small General Aviation terminal facility, which has been designed to easily be expanded to include commercial traffic gates and TSA security facilities. The passenger terminal is currently in development and is seeking bids from firms to develop this. 

Maintenance Repair/Overhaul Facilities

The Maintenance Repair/Overhaul (MRO) facilities consist of three large hangars and are considered adequate for the current airport plan but will be verified following final Master Plan approval from the FAA.

Auxiliary Functions

The Auxiliary functions for the airport are to be finalized upon final Master Plan approval from the FAA. This includes elements such as fuel storage capacity and handling; airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF); facilities and grounds maintenance; etc. The terminal will apply a standard model to accommodate the required US Customs and Border Patrol services.