South Bend International (KSBN), Indiana
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
South Bend International Airport (KSBN) serves the South Bend, Indiana area roughly 67 nautical miles from the nearest metro reference point, with a control tower and a mix of scheduled commercial and business aviation traffic. The field offers three paved runways, onsite customs clearance through CBP and USDA compliance arrangements, and both 100LL and Jet A fuel, positioning it as a full-service option for operators moving through the region.
Runways
South Bend International has three paved runways. The longest, 09R/27L, is 8,412 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
South Bend International has Jet A 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
South Bend 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
South Bend International recorded 8,928 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KSBN concentrates heavily in September and October, with both months exceeding 1,300 operations compared to a few hundred in most other months of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 1,588 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
South Bend International averages 5.2 days above 90°F in July, 27.6 freeze days in January and 6.6 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82.7°F, and January the coldest, at 31.2°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
South Bend International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Approach slope is 21:1 due to 92-foot-high tension wires located 2,160 feet from the runway end and 394 feet right of centerline.
Be alert during right base for high tension wires near the approach end of the runway.
For clearance delivery, contact South Bend Approach. When South Bend Approach is closed, contact Chicago ARTCC for clearance delivery.
Air carrier ramp access is restricted to scheduled commercial operators and aircraft with a wingspan greater than 100 feet. All other operators require prior permission, requested 24 hours in advance.
Runway 09L/27R is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations with scheduled passenger-carrying operations of more than 9 passenger seats or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations of more than 30 passenger seats. The runway is closed when the tower is closed. Weight is restricted to 45,000 pounds for single-wheel aircraft and 60,000 pounds for dual-wheel aircraft.
When the control tower is closed, use CTAF to increase intensity and activate MALSF on runway 09R, MALSR on runway 27L, HIRL on runway 09R/27L, and MIRL on runway 18/36 and all taxiways.
Line of sight between runway intersections is restricted.
Birds on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 430/F/B/X/T
PCR VALUE: 410/F/B/X/U
PCR VALUE: 450/F/B/X/T
Taxiway T is not available to air carrier operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or to unscheduled air carrier operations with at least 31 passenger seats.
For fuel and services, contact on 122.95 or 131.7.
Index C is available upon request.
Taxiways J, J1, and J2 are closed indefinitely.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
South Bend International has five airfields within 21 NM. The closest is Jerry Tyler Memorial, 8.71 NM northeast.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSBN
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 KSBN.
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 KSBN?
South Bend International Airport operates three paved asphalt runways. The primary runway, 09R/27L, is 8,412 feet long and 150 feet wide, making it the longest surface at the field. Runway 18/36 measures 7,101 feet long and 150 feet wide. A third runway, 09L/27R, is shorter at 4,300 feet long and 75 feet wide, and it carries operational restrictions not shared by the other two.
Are there restrictions on using runway 09L/27R at KSBN?
Yes, runway 09L/27R at South Bend International carries specific limitations. It is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled passenger operations carrying more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled passenger operations exceeding 30 passenger seats. The runway closes whenever the control tower is closed. Weight is restricted to 45,000 pounds for single-wheel aircraft and 60,000 pounds for dual-wheel aircraft. Dispatchers planning larger aircraft should route through one of the other two runways instead.
Is customs available at KSBN for international arrivals?
South Bend International Airport has onsite customs service, with CBP inspection available along with a USDA compliance agreement. This means both passenger and agricultural clearance can be handled directly at the field rather than requiring a diversion to another customs airport. Operators planning international arrivals should still coordinate clearance requirements in advance given the compliance agreement structure. The presence of both CBP and USDA processing supports a range of arrival types at this airport, from general aviation to cargo.
What does business aviation traffic look like at KSBN throughout the year?
Business aviation traffic at South Bend International, per FAA TFMSC data for 2025, totals 8,928 operations against 28,425 total annual operations. Traffic is concentrated late in the year, with September and October each posting more than 1,300 operations, well above the monthly average seen across the rest of the calendar. November also runs elevated at nearly 1,000 operations. Dispatchers scheduling flights into KSBN during this fall window should anticipate a busier ramp and plan accordingly.
How should operators access the airport ramp at KSBN?
Ramp access at South Bend International is restricted for air carrier operations. Scheduled commercial carriers and aircraft with a wingspan greater than 100 feet have standing ramp access. All other operators require prior permission, requested on a 24-hour basis before arrival. This applies broadly across non-scheduled and general aviation traffic using the field. Dispatchers should build this coordination step into trip planning rather than assuming open ramp access at KSBN.