Central Illinois Regional Airport celebrates 60 years of operation later this month

Posted on April 17, 2024
Carl Olson, Executive Director of CIRA spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

MCLEAN COUNTY – Central Illinois Regional Airport in McLean County will celebrate 60 years of operations later this month.

In 1964, the Airport began operating under the Illinois Authorities Act in the southeastern section of Bloomington.

Now, 60 years later, Central Illinois residents can hop on non-stop flights to destinations like Denver, CO., Florida, and many others.

“On April 27 will be our 60th birthday, which is a big landmark for us,” Carl Olson, Executive Director of CIRA, told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Of course we are transitioning to a new organization, so it’s been around a long time. We are very proud of that and proud of our heritage.”

Additionally, the Prairie Aviation Museum near the Airport celebrates its 40th year in operation this month.

The museum plans to celebrate by hosting open cockpit days and summer camps later this year.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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