Decatur Airport (KDEC), Illinois
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Decatur Airport, KDEC, is a towered public-use facility in Decatur, Illinois, classified as an ops tier 1 field with three paved runways, the longest reaching 8,496 feet. The airport handles a mix of business aviation and other traffic, recording 3,606 total operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 1,245 of those attributed to business aviation. Both 100LL and Jet A fuel are available, and the field sits roughly 325 nautical miles from the nearest major metro area, making it a relevant stop for regional business aviation routing in central Illinois.
Runways
Decatur Airport has three paved runways. The longest, 06/24, is 8,496 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
Decatur Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Decatur Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is University of Illinois / Willard (KCMI), 30 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Decatur Airport recorded 1,245 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Business aviation traffic at KDEC is concentrated with a pronounced peak in August, when operations run well above the levels seen in most other months of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 227 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Decatur Airport averages 9.0 days above 90°F in July and 26.5 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85.8°F, and January the coldest, at 34.7°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Decatur Airport has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Glider operations are conducted on runways 06 and 30 only and require written approval; contact the airport manager. Sod operations are not authorized.
Taxiway A is restricted north of taxiway G to aircraft with a wingspan of 86 feet or less without prior permission; contact the airport manager.
The north ramp from Hangar B to Hangar G is closed to aircraft over 12,500 pounds.
The MALSR on runway 06, the MIRL on runway 12/30 and 18/36, and the taxiway lights are activated on CTAF. When the control tower is closed, the HIRL on runway 06/24 is preset to low intensity; increase intensity via CTAF.
Runways 12 and 18, and runways 06 and 36, are closely aligned. Verify the correct runway and compass heading prior to departure.
Birds and wildlife are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 3280/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 3250/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 1200/F/D/X/T
When the control tower is closed, be alert for vehicular traffic in airport operations areas.
Snow removal operations during winter months are monitored on CTAF. Landing and departing aircraft should use CTAF when the control tower is closed.
For US Customs.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Chicago ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Decatur Airport has five airfields within 35 NM. The closest is Shelby County, 25.43 NM south.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDEC
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 KDEC.
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
What runways are available at KDEC?
Decatur Airport, KDEC, has three paved runways for arriving and departing traffic. Runway 06/24 is the longest at 8,496 feet, with a width of 150 feet and an asphalt-concrete surface. Runway 12/30 measures 6,799 feet, and runway 18/36 measures 5,298 feet, both also 150 feet wide. All three surfaces are paved, giving KDEC capacity for a wide range of business aircraft types. Crews should note that 12/30 and 06/36 pairs are closely aligned, so runway and heading verification before departure is required.
Is customs available at KDEC?
Decatur Airport does not have customs services onsite according to the data on file. The nearest customs facility is at KCMI, located approximately 29.76 nautical miles from KDEC. Operators requiring customs clearance should plan to route through KCMI or coordinate arrangements in advance. A general remark on file references US Customs but does not describe onsite processing capability at KDEC itself. Flight planning for international arrivals should account for this distance to the nearest customs airport.
What are the wingspan restrictions on taxiways at KDEC?
At KDEC, taxiway A is restricted north of taxiway G for aircraft with a wingspan greater than 86 feet unless prior permission has been obtained. Operators of larger aircraft should contact the airport manager for PPR before planning to use that section of taxiway A. This restriction applies specifically to the segment north of taxiway G, not the entire taxiway. Aircraft with wingspans of 86 feet or less can use this section without additional coordination. Dispatchers handling larger business jets or transport aircraft should build this coordination step into trip planning for Decatur Airport.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at KDEC?
Business aviation traffic at KDEC, Decatur Airport, shows a clear peak in August, with 227 operations recorded that month according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. This compares to a range mostly between 65 and 125 operations in other months of the year. July is the next busiest month with 125 operations, while January sees the lowest activity at 65 operations. Total annual business aviation operations at KDEC reached 1,245 out of 3,606 total operations for the year. Dispatchers scheduling trips to Decatur should anticipate higher activity levels and potential congestion during the August peak.
What operational hazards should pilots be aware of at KDEC?
Decatur Airport reports birds and wildlife on and in the vicinity of the airport as an ongoing operational hazard. Pilots should also be alert for vehicular traffic in airport operations areas when the control tower is closed. Glider operations are conducted at KDEC on runways 06 and 30 only, and these require written approval from the airport manager in advance. During winter months, snow removal operations are monitored on CTAF, and aircraft landing or departing should use CTAF when the tower is closed. These combined factors call for heightened situational awareness during approach and ground operations at KDEC.