Sussex County Airport (GED) — Southern Delaware's General Aviation Hub Near the Beaches
Sussex County Airport, IATA code GED, is the primary general aviation airport for Sussex County, Delaware — the state's southernmost and largest county, home to the world-famous Delaware beaches at Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, and Fenwick Island that attract millions of summer visitors annually. GED is operated by Sussex County government with FAA Eastern Region oversight, and its location in Georgetown — the Sussex County seat — places it at the administrative heart of a county that is simultaneously Delaware's most rural (dominated by poultry farming and agricultural operations) and its most tourism-driven region. The Delmarva Peninsula's chicken industry, centered in Sussex County where Perdue and Mountaire operate major processing facilities, and the Delaware beach resort economy together create diverse aviation demand at GED.
Georgetown, Delaware lies approximately 25 miles from the Atlantic coast resorts, making GED the closest public-use airport to the Delaware beaches for pilots arriving from the Philadelphia and Baltimore metro areas. The summer beach season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) sees peak charter and general aviation traffic at GED, with pilots from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and beyond flying to the Delaware shore for weekends and vacations. GED's single paved runway accommodates turboprop and light jet aircraft, and the FBO provides Jet-A and 100LL fueling for the full range of GA traffic. Delaware's beach tourism contributes approximately $3 billion annually to the state's economy, and GED plays a supporting role in delivering aviation-traveling visitors to the shore.
What is the IATA code for Sussex County Airport?
Sussex County Airport carries the IATA code GED. It is located in Georgetown, Delaware — the Sussex County seat — and serves as the primary public-use GA airport for southern Delaware and the beach resort corridor.
How far is Sussex County Airport from the Delaware beaches?
Georgetown (where GED is located) is approximately 20-25 miles from Rehoboth Beach and 30 miles from Fenwick Island on the Delaware coast. Pilots flying to the Delaware beaches use GED as the closest public-use airport.
What is the poultry industry's connection to Sussex County aviation?
Sussex County is one of the leading poultry-producing counties in the United States, with Perdue Farms, Mountaire, and other processors operating large facilities. Agricultural aviation (crop dusting, aerial spraying) and corporate aircraft for agribusiness executives use GED to support this major industry.
What runway length does GED offer for jets?
Sussex County Airport's paved runway is approximately 5,000 feet, accommodating turboprops and light-to-midsize jets for the charter and corporate traffic that serves Delaware's beach resort market during summer season.
Does GED have instrument approaches?
Yes. Sussex County Airport has GPS/RNAV instrument approach procedures enabling IFR operations — important for pilots attempting beach-area arrivals when coastal fog or summer convective activity can reduce visibility in southern Delaware.
Sussex County Airport - GED Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Georgetown, Delaware.
| Name | Sussex County Airport - GED |
| Address | 21553 Rudder Lane, Georgetown DE 19947 Map |
| Phone | (302) 855-7774 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Sussex County Airport - GED
Airports in near by County
Airports near Georgetown
Flying to Delaware's Beach Country — Sussex County Airport in Georgetown
Sussex County Airport (GED) is located at 22931 Rudder Lane in Georgetown, Delaware, accessible from U.S. Route 9 and Route 113. Car rentals and rideshare services connect GED to Georgetown's county seat services and to the Route 1 beach highway. Pilots flying to the Delaware shore should book car rentals well in advance during summer peak season (June-August), as demand at GED significantly exceeds supply during the beach season. The FBO at GED provides fuel, tie-down services, and pilot amenities for the high summer traffic volume, and hangar space should be reserved early for aircraft remaining at GED during extended beach vacations.
Summer coastal flying near GED requires awareness of beach convective activity — thunderstorms building over the warm Delaware coast in summer afternoons can develop rapidly and affect VFR conditions with minimal warning. Pilots should plan departures for early morning when convective activity is minimal and reserve afternoon hours for ground activities at the beach. The FAA Eastern Region publishes coastal weather briefing resources for Delmarva Peninsula pilots, and local pilot reports from Ocean City (KOXB) and Salisbury (KSBY) in Maryland provide useful weather context for southern Delaware flying. Georgetown's Delaware Agricultural Museum and Historic Georgetown are worth a quick stop for culturally minded pilots who arrive at GED for the beach and want to explore the county's agricultural heritage before heading to the shore.