Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) — Bridgeport's Gateway to Southern Connecticut
Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, identified by FAA designator BDR and located in Stratford, Connecticut, serves the greater Bridgeport metropolitan area and lower Fairfield County. Named in honor of aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky — who founded his helicopter manufacturing company in Stratford — the airport holds deep roots in Connecticut's aviation heritage. Operating under the Connecticut Airport Authority and within the FAA's New England Region, BDR supports general aviation, charter operations, and light cargo activity. Its proximity to the Long Island Sound coastline and the Housatonic River gives it a distinctive geographic setting that pilots must account for during instrument approaches.
Positioned roughly 60 miles northeast of New York City and 100 miles southwest of Boston, BDR occupies a strategic corridor connecting two of the densest metro markets in the northeastern United States. Fairfield County is home to numerous corporate headquarters, and BDR serves as a convenient reliever for executives and charter passengers who prefer avoiding the congestion of JFK, LaGuardia, or Bradley International. The airport features a single paved runway and a fixed-base operator providing fuel, maintenance, and avionics services. Local flight schools train the next generation of Connecticut aviators at this historically significant field.
What is the FAA identifier for Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport?
The FAA identifier is BDR. The airport is located in Stratford, Connecticut, and is managed by the Connecticut Airport Authority under FAA New England Region oversight.
Who was Igor Sikorsky and why is the airport named after him?
Igor Sikorsky was a Russian-American aviation pioneer who developed the world's first mass-produced helicopter, the VS-300, in Stratford, Connecticut. His Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation continues to operate in the area, making the naming highly appropriate for a Connecticut airport.
What services are available at BDR?
BDR offers general aviation services including fueling, maintenance, avionics, aircraft rental, and flight instruction. Charter operations depart regularly for destinations along the East Coast, and corporate tenants maintain hangared aircraft at the facility.
Is BDR a reliever airport for New York City?
Yes. BDR functions as a general aviation reliever for the congested New York metropolitan airspace. Its location in Fairfield County makes it attractive for business travelers originating from southwestern Connecticut who wish to avoid driving to Westchester County Airport or the major New York airports.
How does weather affect operations at Sikorsky Memorial Airport?
Coastal New England weather — including marine fog, nor'easters, and winter icing — can affect VFR operations at BDR. The Connecticut Airport Authority and FAA New England Region maintain instrument approach procedures to support all-weather operations.
Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport - BDR Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Stratford, Connecticut.
| Name | Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport - BDR |
| Address | 1000 Great Meadow Road, Stratford CT 06615 Map |
| Phone | (203) 576-8163 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Airport - BDR
Planning Your Visit to Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford
Pilots and passengers arriving at BDR will find the airport conveniently located off Route 113 in Stratford, with easy highway access via I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. Ground transportation to downtown Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Westport is readily available. The Connecticut Airport Authority maintains up-to-date NOTAMs and airport information through its official portal, and pilots should file flight plans with the FAA New England Region TRACON when operating in the busy Class B airspace shelf that extends from New York below 7,000 feet in this area.
For charter and corporate operators, BDR provides a quieter alternative to Westchester County Airport while still delivering quick access to Fairfield County's business corridor. Hangar availability, tie-down options, and catering arrangements for charter flights can be coordinated through the FBO. The airport's connection to Sikorsky Aircraft's legacy gives it a unique character among Connecticut's general aviation fields — visitors interested in aviation history will find the Stratford area rich with connections to helicopter development that changed commercial and military aviation worldwide.