About SIA

HISTORY 

The Southern Illinois Airport, originally known as the Murdale Airport, was organized in 1946. The airport opened on June 1, 1950 with one runway, one business, two buildings and 8 employees.

Traffic and business grew considerably in the past five decades, particularly after the initiation of the Southern Illinois University aviation program in 1960. Today the airport ranks as the sixth busiest facility in the State, has three all-weather runways, and 23 buildings.

ORGANIZATION

The airport is owned and operated by Southern Illinois Airport Authority, a local governmental entity created under state law. A five member boards sets policy for the airport authority and daily administration of the airport is carried out by an airport manager and staff.

The board members are appointed by the mayors of Carbondale and Murphysboro and the Chairman of the Jackson County Board and serve for five years on a staggered basis.

FACILITIES

Three lighted, hard surface runways provide all-weather capability. A precision instrument approach is available on the airport's primary runway. The airport is capable of accommodating a variety of aircraft up to and including the Boeing 757.

Sufficient aircraft ramps and tie-down spaces exist for a large and varied number of aircraft. Hangar space is available for based and transient aircraft up to and including the Gulfstream V.

An air traffic control tower operates from 7am to 9pm each day and an ASOS weather facility operates on a 24-hour basis.

In addition to the ASOS, Southern Illinois University staffs a weather station in the terminal building that is available for public use. For further information on the Airport: ( http://gcr1.com/5010WEB/airport.cfm?Site=MDH )

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Southern Illinois Airport makes a substantial contribution to the local economy. Based upon a study commissioned by the Illinois Aeronautics Division, the airport contributes more than $13.8 million in direct and indirect benifits to the region on an annual basis.

Today the Airport employs more than 175 full and part time employees with an annual payroll exceeding $3.3 million. Yearly expenditures in the local area by the Airport and 7 businesses located here are more than $2.5 million. The authors used a conservative multiplier of 1.7 to result in a total annual impact exceeding $13.8 million.