In recent years, Detroit's city airport has been facing a significant challenge: generating revenue for the city. The airport, which currently operates on a $2.7 million annual subsidy from the city, hopes to turn things around by attracting more air traffic.

One potential solution is to draw away some of the increased air traffic from Oakland County International Airport in Waterford. This would enable the Detroit airport to generate revenue and become more self-sufficient. According to Jason Watt, the airport's director, 'We could very conceivably get to that number, given all the growth that's taken place downtown.'

In the future, Watt hopes to see the airport return to its former glory of 100,000 takeoffs and landings per year. This is a significant increase from the current annual total of around 10,000. The airport has already made significant strides in this direction, with plans for improvements and potential future investments.

However, there are still some major obstacles standing in the way of the airport's growth. The primary runway at the airport is only 5,090 feet long, which is not long enough to accommodate most commercial passenger jets. Additionally, the airport is hemmed in by two cemeteries - Olivet and Gethsemane - making it difficult to expand the runway.

In the past, Southwest Airlines operated at the Detroit City Airport, but they pulled out in 1993. Pro Air was the last airline to have regular service at the airport, ceasing operations in 2000. While there are no plans to return commercial passenger airline service to the airport, the hope is that the increased air traffic will lead to a more sustainable and self-sufficient future for the city airport.

Overall, the future of Detroit's city airport looks promising, with plans to increase revenue and attract more air traffic. With improvements and potential future investments on the horizon, it's possible that the airport could become a significant contributor to the city's economy in the years to come.

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