Airports in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the second-largest city in the Upper Peninsula with a population of approximately 13,337, is served by Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), located in Kincheloe, Michigan, about 17 miles south of downtown. Positioned at the northern terminus of Interstate 75 along the St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie is a historic border community facing its Canadian twin city across the international bridge — and CIU is the region's primary connection to the national air travel network.

Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)

Chippewa County International Airport carries the IATA code CIU (ICAO: KCIU) and is owned and operated by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC). The airport occupies the grounds of the former Kincheloe Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation active from 1941 through 1977 that once housed long-range B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft. When the Air Force closed the base in 1977, the CCEDC was created specifically to redevelop the site and stabilize the regional economy — a mission that continues today through the airport's commercial aviation role.

The current passenger terminal at CIU opened in September 2002 and is located at 5315 W Airport Dr, Kincheloe, MI 49788. The facility is classified by the FAA as a non-hub primary commercial service airport and is one of only 12 commercial-service airports in the state of Michigan. In 2024, Chippewa County International Airport recorded 52,500 total passengers — its highest annual figure in history, representing a 16 percent increase over 2023 passenger totals.

Airlines and Destinations

Delta Air Lines, operating under the Delta Connection brand through SkyWest Airlines, is the sole commercial carrier at CIU. Delta operates 14 non-stop jet flights per week from Sault Ste. Marie, with scheduled service to two major hub airports:

These hub connections mean CIU passengers can reach hundreds of destinations with a single connection. The Detroit route is particularly useful for Upper Peninsula residents needing access to Michigan's primary commercial gateway.

Runways and Airport Infrastructure

CIU operates two runways. The primary runway, Runway 16/34, measures 7,203 feet by 150 feet with a concrete surface — a legacy of its Air Force heritage, built to accommodate heavy military aircraft. The crosswind runway, Runway 10/28, measures 5,001 feet by 75 feet with an asphalt surface. Both runways are capable of handling regional jet operations under instrument flight rules, making the airport reliable year-round despite the challenging Upper Peninsula winters.

Ground Transportation from CIU to Sault Ste. Marie

Multiple ground transportation options connect the airport to downtown Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities:

Sault Ste. Marie's Aviation Context

Sault Ste. Marie's geographic position at the junction of Lake Superior and the St. Marys River — home to the famous Soo Locks that lift vessels 21 feet between lake levels and handle an average of 10,000 ships per year — makes air access particularly important. The city's location along the US-Canada border, connected to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario by the 2.8-mile International Bridge (the tenth-busiest passenger crossing on the Canada-US border), draws cross-border travelers who may fly through CIU when driving the bridge or conducting business in the binational metropolitan area. For a small city of just over 13,000 residents, the combination of regional significance, border commerce, and Upper Peninsula tourism generates meaningful demand for commercial air service.

International Airports

An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.

An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.

These major Michigan Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.

A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.

Private Airports

Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.

One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.

These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.

Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.

There are 0 Private Airport in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Regional Airports

Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.

Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.

One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.

There are 0 Regional Airport in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Municipal Airports

Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.

Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.

One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.

Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.

There are 1 Municipal Airport in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Sault Ste Marie Municipal Airport - Anj

View Details Call Now (906) 635-6961

Sault Ste Marie Municipal Airport - Anj

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Local Airports

There are 1 Local Airport in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Sault Sainte Marie County Airport - Ssm

View Details Call Now (906) 635-0252

Sault Sainte Marie County Airport - Ssm

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Frequently Asked Questions: Airports in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie is served by Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), located in Kincheloe, Michigan, approximately 17 miles south of downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The drive typically takes about 25 minutes via I-75 South. The airport address is 5315 W Airport Dr, Kincheloe, MI 49788. Despite the physical distance, CIU is the only commercial-service airport in the region and the primary air gateway for the eastern Upper Peninsula.

Delta Air Lines, operating as Delta Connection through SkyWest Airlines, is the sole commercial carrier at CIU. Delta runs 14 scheduled non-stop jet flights per week, connecting Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit (DTW) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP). Both are major Delta hubs, meaning passengers can connect onward to hundreds of domestic and international destinations with a single layover. In 2024, CIU recorded a record 52,500 passengers — a 16 percent increase over the prior year — demonstrating growing demand for regional air service.

CIU is built on the site of Kincheloe Air Force Base, established in 1941 and later developed into a major Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation during the Cold War era. The base hosted B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, playing a significant role in Cold War deterrence strategy. The Air Force closed the base in 1977, prompting Chippewa County to establish the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) to convert the military infrastructure into a civilian airport and industrial park. The current modern terminal opened in September 2002, and the airport's long runways — including the 7,203-foot primary runway — are a direct legacy of the base's heavy-bomber mission.

Northern Transport & Shuttle offers dedicated service from CIU directly to the St. Ignace ferry docks, located approximately 35 miles south of the airport. From St. Ignace, ferries operated by Arnold Line, Star Line, and Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry cross to Mackinac Island year-round (ferry availability is seasonal). This shuttle connection makes CIU a practical arrival point for Mackinac Island visitors traveling from Detroit or Minneapolis who prefer flying into the regional airport over driving the full length of the Lower Peninsula. Rental cars are also available on-site at CIU for travelers who prefer to self-drive to St. Ignace.

CIU does not offer direct commercial flights to Canada. However, Sault Ste. Marie's location directly on the US-Canada border — connected to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario by the 2.8-mile Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge over the St. Marys River — means many cross-border travelers drive across rather than fly. The bridge is the tenth-busiest passenger crossing on the entire Canada-US border. Travelers needing to fly between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Canadian destinations would typically connect through Detroit (DTW) or Minneapolis (MSP) and onward to Canadian airports, or cross the bridge and use Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) on the Ontario side, which offers service to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) via Air Canada Express.