Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)

Congratulations to Law Enforcement Officer Chad Kooyer for being a recipient of the Bev Drake Essential Service Award by West Michigan Works! The Ford International Airport is grateful to have hard-working and caring employees like Officer Kooyer who keep our airport community safe and welcoming. ????

????ANNOUNCING NONSTOP SERVICE TO JACKSONVILLE ON ALLEGIANT! Beginning May 23, 2025, this quick flight will give travelers another reason to visit the great Sunshine State. Book your trip today at Allegiant.com Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eGq3zDGi

???? ANNOUNCING NONSTOP SERVICE TO MYRTLE BEACH ON ALLEGIANT! Beginning May 22, 2025, this route will take you to the their pristine beaches, world-class golfing, family-friendly activities, and more in just two hours. “This investment from Allegiant Air further connects West Michigan with the world,” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. "With the addition of Myrtle Beach and Jacksonville, Allegiant now offers 18 nonstop destinations for our travelers. We’re grateful for their continued partnership and excited for passengers to explore these new locations." Book your trip today at Allegiant.com Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eGq3zDGi

This week, we are honored to join many community partners and residents in #OperationGreenLight, shining a light of hope and support for those who have served. Our partners at Kent County work hard to ensure former service members and their families have access to the resources they need to thrive. To learn more about Operation Green Light, visit https://lnkd.in/g-zy5kBf

We're thrilled to share that Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) has been selected by Airports Council International - North America for the 2024 Peggy G. Hereford Award for Overall Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience! ?? This prestigious award recognizes the airport that achieves the most first-place wins and honorable mentions across all categories at the annual ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Awards gala. It celebrates creativity, effectiveness in reaching audiences, and the overall impact of an airport’s marketing and public relations efforts. Named after Peggy G. Hereford, a pioneering leader in aviation public relations, this accolade reflects her commitment to capturing the energy of aviation and sharing it with the world—a mission we strive to uphold at GRR. With so many talented individuals in the aviation industry, bringing this award home to West Michigan means a great deal to us. It is a testament not only to our hard work but also to our vision of enhancing the passenger experience and fostering a strong sense of community. In addition to the highest overall award, GRR received first place in the following categories: Print Communications, Annual Reports, Overall Marketing Programs in the Small Airports category, and Community Education and Outreach. https://lnkd.in/ejgSMY5h

We are thrilled to announce the completion of our snow removal equipment building expansion, adding over 60,000 square feet for a total facility size of more than 117,500 square feet! With support from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this expansion will assist the airport in accommodating increasing passenger demand and aircraft operations while ensuring safe, efficient air travel during the winter season. This building will house the Airport Authority’s Airfield Maintenance team, known nationally for their innovative snow removal techniques, and store over 45 specialized vehicles, including snowplows that can quickly clear runways. Learn more about the expansion here: https://lnkd.in/escanpVa

Congratulations to our HR Generalist, Madyson Mansfield, SPHR, SHRM-CP, CLRP, for winning the Athena Young Professional Leadership Award! We are grateful for her skills, leadership, and service to the Ford International Airport. ? Thank you, Grand Rapids Chamber, for celebrating the talented women in our community!

New Restaurant Alert! Get ready to raise a glass at the new Bell’s Brewery on Concourse B at Gerald R. Ford International Airport! ?? In partnership with HMSHost and Bell's Brewery, this new location opens this winter and will include favorites like Oberon Ale and Two Hearted IPA, plus a menu of tasty small bites. “Since opening in 1985, Bell’s Brewery has been a beloved staple in our community,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority President and CEO Tory Richardson. “With an average of 10,000 passengers coming through our terminal daily—some of whom are first-time visitors to West Michigan—we are excited to showcase the vibrant local flavors of our region and hope all our travelers can enjoy the diverse options available to them.” “We are proud to partner with Ford International Airport and Bell’s Brewery to expand the concessions program and to bring a taste of place to the concourse through a dining venue inspired by a beloved, locally born brand,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Bryan Loden. “Bell’s Tap and Table will make a traveler’s journey through the airport all the more exciting by offering great beer, delicious food and excellent hospitality.” “Bell’s is proud of our Michigan-based roots and we’ve loved being able to bring exceptional craft beer to our communities for nearly four decades. Through this partnership, Michiganders on the west side of the state can now experience Bell’s at new occasions,” said Bell’s Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/egnEpVuj

As the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) continues, we are proud to have the West Michigan Aviation Academy students on our airport campus. Through the six rounds of the FLITE program, students have collaborated with technical experts and engineers to engage in on-site testing, surveys, interviews, and demonstrations of the developing technologies. We’ve enjoyed seeing the student’s spirit of curiosity and innovative mindset as they contribute to the talent pipeline in STEM careers. Thank you, students!

?? Exciting News! ?? We celebrated Southwest Airlines' inaugural flight to Las Vegas today with games, giveaways and the iconic water canon salute. Book now and start planning your next Vegas adventure at southwest.com ??