Airport Name and ICAO/IATA Code
Billings-Logan International Airport (ICAO: KBIL / IATA: BIL)
Location (City, Country)
Billings, Montana, United States
Airport Type & Size
Billings is a primary commercial airport that features 3 runways (10L/28R, 10R/28L It is one of the biggest airports in Montana. The largest planes to land at Billings were the Antonov AN-124, 747-200, and 777-200. For a brief period of time, Northwest Airlines used to fly DC-10s and 747-200s into Billings; Cargolux also in the past did 747 touch-and-goes there as well. In theory, F-class aircraft would be able to park here because there is enough space.PAX: Newly-renovated Terminal: 2 concourses, 4 C-class jetbridge stands each. 1 airside stand adjacent to concourse B, 1 B-class airside stand adjacent to concourse A .
Cargo Stands:
North of RWY 28R: Alpine-Air’s hangar and apron area allows room for several Beech 1900D freighters (A-class stands by WoA standards) and perhaps 2 B-class cargo stands.Adjacent to PAX Terminal/ATC Tower: These 2 stands can be combined into a large stand. For realism purposes, these could be combined cargo/pax stands as 747s and DC-10s have had regular service here in the past. [IMAGERY FROM 2019]
Adjacent to Taxiway Juliet: These 5 cargo stands allow for a modest cargo fleet. It also allows for unique parking that will be expanded on later.
Why should this airport be added to World of Airports?
1. Playstyle
Billings is bigger than Innsbruck, Bari, Sint Maarten, and Kannur in area. However, it only has around the same annual passenger numbers as Innsbruck (~1 million). Billings would be a relaxing and chill gameplay for players who want to enjoy the scenery.2. Scenery
Billings Airport is situated on top of the Rimrocks, which is a massive ridge overlooking the city of Billings and the Yellowstone River Valley. As seen in the photos at the bottom, the airport would really show the beauty of the Big Sky Country. Perpendicular to 10L/28R is a long pavement marked with yellow x’s. This used to be Runway 16/34 but it was closed between 1996 and 2002. Today, a fire training center is there, with a decommissioned Fedex Boeing 727 which could be a static scenery addition.3. Complex, yet Simple
Billings is a small airport, but it has 3 runways. Select B-class and larger aircraft can only use Runway 10L/28R. Runway 10R/28L can only handle A-class, and Runway 07/25 can only handle A-class and select B-class.4. GA Traffic/More Aircraft Potential
A lot of General Aviation, Helicopters, and Private Jets visit Billings. The addition of the airport would also potentially solicit the addition of more A-class aircraft to the game, namely the Tecnam P2012, Cessna 408 SkyCourier, Cessna 208 Caravan, Beech 1900, Beech King Air 200, and the Beech 99 Airliner. Adjacent to the airport is Billings Flying Service, which operates a handful of firefighting Boeing CH-47 Chinooks.
Major Airlines & Routes
Airline Hubs in Billings:
- Cape Air: Flies Tecnam P2012s for Essential Air Service to Glasgow CGW, Glendive GDV, Havre HVR, Sidney SDY, and Wolf Point OLF.
- Alpine Air Express: Flies Beechcraft 1900s, Beechcraft 99s, Beechcraft King Air 200s, and Cessna Caravans for cargo flights to Bozeman BZN, Butte BTM, Helena HLN, Kalispell FCA, Great Falls GTF, Cut Bank CTB, Wolf Point OLF, Sidney SDY, Glendive GDV, Miles City MLS, and Gillette GCC.
- Corporate Air: Flies Cessna 408 SkyCouriers, Beech 1900s, Cessna Caravans, Shorts 330s, Dornier 228s, Beech King Air 200s, DHC-6 Twin Otters, and Embraer E-120 Brasilias under FEDEX colors to Casper CPR, Fargo FAR, and Salt Lake City SLC.
Mainline/Regional Routes from Billings:
- United: Denver (E170, E175, CRJ2, CRJ7, B738, B739, B39M, A320)
- Delta: Salt Lake City (E175, BCS1, BCS3, A319, A320, A321), Minneapolis/St. Paul (A319, A320, A321, B739)
- American: Dallas/Fort Worth (E175), Chicago ORD (E145, E170, E175)
- Alaska: Portland PDX (DH8D, E175), Seattle (DH8D, E175)
- Allegiant: Phoenix/Mesa AZA (A320), Las Vegas (A319, A320)
Cargo Routes from Billings:
- UPS: Ontario ONT (B752F, B763F, A306F), Louisville SDF (A306F, B752F, B763F), Rockford RFD (B752F, B763F, A306F)
- FEDEX: Memphis (B752F, A306F, B763F), Great Falls (ATR4F, ATR7F)
Unique Features or Challenges
- Possible Congestion
- Runway Restrictions
- Isolation of cargo stands adjacent to Alpine Air hangar on Taxiway Bravo, north of 10L/28R.
- 500 foot cliffs immediately next to airport
- Billings is at 3,662 feet above sea level, and it experiences harsh winters due to the continental Montana climate. During winter, every plane would need to be de-iced.
- Lots of variety: e.g: Scheduled A300-600Fs alongside P2012s.
- Possible special arrivals/contracts in Progress Rewards: Northwest 747-200s, AN-124s, El Al 777-200s.
New parking mechanic: Taxiway Juliet cargo stands can have parallel A300s or perpendicular Beech 1900s:
Optional: Links, images, maps, or videos
Billings Logan International Airport - WikipediaLargest cargo plane in the world touches down at Billings airport
