Chicago / Rockford International (KRFD), Illinois
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Chicago / Rockford International (KRFD) is a tier-1, towered airport in northern Illinois, roughly 66 nautical miles from the Chicago metro area. The field recorded 29,201 total annual operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC, with 2,364 of those tied to business aviation. Two long paved runways, onsite customs handling, and a full slate of piston and turbine fuel make KRFD a practical stop for a range of operators, from GA traffic to larger jet and cargo movements.
Runways
Chicago / Rockford International has two paved runways. The longest, 07/25, is 10,002 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt and concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Chicago / Rockford International has Jet A, Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Chicago / Rockford International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Chicago / Rockford International recorded 2,364 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in June, July, October and December.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 229 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Chicago / Rockford International averages 5.4 days above 90°F in July, 29.2 freeze days in January and 3.6 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83.9°F, and January the coldest, at 29.1°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Chicago / Rockford International has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
ARFF Index E equipment is available, but requires one hour of prior notice.
Triple-tandem gear loading: TRT550 on Runway 07/25 and TRT590 on Runway 01/19.
Birds and deer are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 1810/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 980/R/B/W/T
The concrete portion of the pavement is in good condition.
The US Customs office requires two hours of advance notice during business hours, Monday through Friday, 0830 to 1700.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Chicago / Rockford International has five airfields within 26 NM. The closest is Poplar Grove, 13.89 NM northeast.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KRFD
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KRFD.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is customs clearance available at KRFD?
Yes, CHICAGO / ROCKFORD INTL has onsite CBP inspection services along with a USDA compliance agreement. The customs office requires two hours of advance notice during business hours, Monday through Friday, 0830 to 1700. Crews arriving outside those windows should plan around this notice requirement rather than expecting on-demand clearance. This makes KRFD a viable international arrival point for business aviation operators who coordinate ahead of landing.
How long is the longest runway at Chicago / Rockford International?
The longest runway at Chicago / Rockford International is 07/25, measuring 10,002 feet by 150 feet with an asphalt-concrete surface. A second runway, 01/19, adds 8,200 feet by 150 feet, also asphalt-concrete. Together these two runways give KRFD substantial paved length for a wide range of aircraft types, including large jets. The concrete portions of the pavement are reported in good condition.
What fuel is available at KRFD?
Chicago / Rockford International stocks 100LL avgas along with Jet A and Jet A-1+ turbine fuel. The field operates on an ALL / ALL / ALL attendance schedule, meaning fueling support is not limited to specific days or hours. This combination of fuel types supports both piston general aviation traffic and business or cargo jet operations. KRFD's fuel availability aligns with its role as a tier-1 facility in the FAA TFMSC traffic dataset.
What wildlife hazards are reported at Chicago / Rockford International?
Chicago / Rockford International has a standing remark noting birds and deer on and in the vicinity of the airport. Crews operating at KRFD should factor this into approach and departure planning, particularly during low-visibility or low-light periods when wildlife strikes are harder to avoid. The remark applies broadly to the airport environment rather than a single runway or area. Operators should follow standard wildlife-awareness procedures when using this field.
What ARFF capability does KRFD provide?
KRFD maintains ARFF Index E equipment, but it is only available with one hour of prior notice. Operators expecting Index E coverage at Chicago / Rockford International need to request it in advance rather than assume it is staffed continuously. This is a planning consideration for flights carrying passenger loads that require higher rescue and firefighting index coverage. Dispatchers should build this lead time into trip planning when Index E support is a requirement.