Sparta Community Airport has earned a 2017 Airport of the Year Award from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the agency reported recently.
Sparta was recognized in the category of "General Aviation-Runway 5,000 feet or less." The other honorees were Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, Macomb Municipal Airport in Macomb, Tri-County Airport in Elmwood and Riverside Medical Center Hospital Heliport in Kankakee.
IDOT said the winners, which received their awards on May 25 in Champaign, were selected for their outstanding partnership efforts with the agency, including cooperation and coordination with the state by airport management and staff, the facility’s safety record, the promotion of seminars and aviation events, and facility maintenance. Customer safety and satisfaction commitment were also considered.
“The support and commitment of our state’s aviation community helps Illinois to strengthen its status as the transportation hub of North America,” IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said. “These awards are our way of recognizing the tremendous dedication exhibited by airports and heliports throughout Illinois. Our sincere congratulations go out to all of this year’s recipients.”
The Illinois State Aviation System is is among the largest systems in the U.S, with 870 individual landing facilities, 110 public-use aviation landing facilities and 11 airports.
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