Airport Codes
Total 1 airports of RFD
Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport) (IATA: RFD, ICAO:KRFD) is located in the the city of Chicago, United states. It is the primary international airport serving Chicago and its surrounding metropolitan area. Phone Number :+1(815)969-4000
Airport Overview
Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport)(RFD) is a public airport in Rockford, Illinois, serving the Rockford area and the wider Chicago freight market. It is located in Winnebago County, approximately 6 km south of Rockford and approximately 85 miles northwest of Chicago, with direct road access to the major industrial and distribution belt of northern Illinois. Its logistics profile is distinct from a passenger-led metropolitan gateway: the airport has dedicated cargo ramp capacity and a UPS Airlines regional air hub, making it relevant for express parcels, e-commerce replenishment, time-sensitive general cargo and consolidated freight. Our service team can evaluate whether direct handling at this airport or a Chicago-area alternative better matches the shipment’s carrier, customs and delivery requirements.
| Airport name | Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport) |
|---|---|
| IATA / ICAO | RFD / KRFD |
| Location | Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| Coordinates | 42.1953640, -89.0972110 |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
Key Highlights
- Cargo-oriented operating profile: Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport) has three cargo ramps in addition to its passenger terminal area.
- Express-network relevance: The north cargo ramp is identified in the supplied airport profile as the location of the UPS Airlines Rockford Regional Air Hub; carrier acceptance and cut-off conditions must be confirmed per shipment.
- Chicago-area alternative: The airport can be considered when the consignee or distribution center is in northern Illinois, Wisconsin or the wider Midwest and a less congested cargo gateway is operationally suitable.
- Road-feeder dependency: Final delivery performance depends heavily on bonded or non-bonded trucking arrangements, warehouse release timing, customs status and local appointment requirements.
Cargo Facilities & Services
- Cargo ramp infrastructure: The supplied airport profile describes three cargo ramps, including a north cargo ramp associated with the UPS Airlines regional air hub and a separate south cargo ramp serving an FBO operation.
- Ramp scale: The same profile describes the north cargo ramp as approximately 50 acres with parking capacity of up to 40 jet aircraft. This is a historical reference point rather than a guarantee of current availability.
- Warehouse capacity: A 72,000-square-foot warehouse associated with the third cargo ramp is referenced in the supplied profile. Our service team will verify the applicable operator, cargo acceptance conditions and handling scope before booking.
- Special cargo: Temperature-controlled, dangerous goods, lithium-battery, oversized, live-animal and high-value shipments require pre-approval. Availability of dedicated cold rooms, DG storage, screening and secure handling must be confirmed with the appointed handler or carrier.
- Customs and bonded handling: Import entry, bonded transfer, examination and release arrangements are shipment-specific. We coordinate the required broker and warehouse instructions rather than assuming that every facility provides the same customs service.
Routes & Transit Times
- Express and integrator networks: Shipments may move through the UPS Airlines network associated with Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport), subject to the carrier’s service map, day-of-operation schedule and acceptance rules.
- General air freight: Forwarder-booked cargo may require a carrier connection, an interline arrangement or a road-feeder transfer to another Chicago-area gateway. The exact routing is determined by commodity, airline allocation, destination and customs status.
- International connectivity: Direct or connecting service can change by season and operating schedule. Our team confirms the actual booking route, terminal handoff and documentation cut-offs before issuing a firm transport plan.
- Transit-time variables: Airport acceptance cut-offs, security screening, weekend and holiday schedules, U.S. Customs procedures, weather, trucking availability and destination handling can materially affect door-to-door performance. Published transit estimates are therefore subject to operational confirmation.
Hinterland & Key Cargo
- Primary catchment: Rockford and northern Illinois form the immediate logistics base, while the airport can also support distribution flows connected with the broader Chicago and Midwest markets.
- Distribution and e-commerce: The cargo-oriented airport profile is suitable for parcel injection, online retail replenishment, inventory transfers and time-sensitive distribution cargo when the carrier network and trucking plan align.
- Industrial freight: Typical planning discussions may include machinery parts, automotive components, industrial equipment, electronics, packaged consumer goods and other general cargo. Packaging, dimensions and handling restrictions must be checked individually.
- Temperature-sensitive shipments: Pharmaceuticals, biologics, perishables and chilled food require a validated temperature-control plan from origin pickup through warehouse release; airport proximity alone does not establish cold-chain capability.
- Delivery planning: The most appropriate gateway depends on the final ZIP code, delivery appointment, customs broker location, shipment density and availability of direct trucking capacity.
Operations & Compliance
- Cut-off control: Do not plan cargo delivery against the flight departure time alone. The carrier’s acceptance cut-off, screening completion, document cut-off and warehouse receiving window must be obtained for the specific booking.
- Dangerous goods: Lithium batteries, aerosols, chemicals, dry ice and other regulated articles require correct classification, packing, marks, labels and shipper’s declaration where applicable. Our team needs the SDS, battery details and packing information before tender.
- U.S. customs: Commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill data, importer details, tariff classification and any required permits should be prepared before arrival. Customs examination or document review may delay release even when the flight arrives on schedule.
- Special handling: Live animals, perishables, high-value cargo, oversized pieces and temperature-sensitive goods require advance acceptance and a documented handover plan. Facility capability, security screening and truck access are confirmed case by case.
Shipping Tips
- Book with operational detail: Provide commodity, piece count, dimensions, gross weight, stackability, ready time, destination ZIP code and required delivery date so our service team can compare direct handling with alternative Chicago gateways.
- Protect the cargo: Use export-grade packaging, clear piece identification and a packing list that matches the physical shipment. For pallets and crates, confirm height, forkability and non-stackable status before acceptance.
- Pre-clear documents: Send commercial and regulatory documents before cargo delivery. For controlled commodities, submit SDS, permits, temperature range, battery test information or other supporting records during quotation, not at tender.
- Maintain a fallback plan: For urgent or capacity-sensitive freight, request an alternative routing through another Chicago-area cargo gateway and reserve trucking flexibility. The final option should be selected only after the carrier confirms capacity and cut-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago Rockford International Airport (Greater Rockford Airport) suitable for international air freight?
It can be suitable for international freight when the selected carrier, customs broker, warehouse and trucking plan support the shipment. Our service team verifies the actual routing and import or export handling arrangement before booking rather than assuming that every destination is served directly.
Can the airport accept dangerous goods or lithium-battery cargo?
Acceptance depends on the carrier and handling facility. The shipper must provide accurate classification, packing details, marks, labels and supporting documents. Our team submits the commodity information for pre-approval and will propose another routing if the selected service cannot accept it.
Does airport arrival guarantee same-day delivery in the Chicago region?
No. Same-day or next-day delivery depends on customs release, warehouse availability, truck capacity, destination ZIP code and delivery appointments. We quote the airport movement and the inland leg together so the delivery commitment reflects the complete operating chain.
What information is needed to obtain a quotation through this airport?
Provide origin and destination, commodity, number of pieces, dimensions, gross weight, packaging type, cargo value, ready time, required delivery date and any special handling requirements. For regulated or temperature-sensitive goods, include the relevant declarations and technical documents.
When should an alternative Chicago-area gateway be considered?
Consider an alternative when the required destination is not covered by the confirmed carrier network, when the shipment needs a specialized handling capability that cannot be verified at the selected facility, or when trucking, customs and cut-off conditions produce a better total transit plan elsewhere.
Data Sources & Provenance
Airport identifiers, name, location, coordinates, time zone, cargo-ramp description and historical airport-profile figures shown in this module are based on the airport record supplied for this page. Operational availability, schedules, cargo acceptance, customs procedures, handling capability and transit estimates require confirmation for the individual booking.
For airport information and current operating contacts, consult the official airport domain: flyrfd.com. U.S. airport and aviation regulatory references may be checked through the Federal Aviation Administration: faa.gov. U.S. import and customs requirements should be verified through U.S. Customs and Border Protection: cbp.gov.
This page distinguishes fixed airport identity data from time-sensitive operational information. Before cargo tender, our service team verifies the carrier booking, warehouse receiving window, security requirements, customs arrangement, special-cargo acceptance and inland delivery plan.