โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS/KCPS) is a premier public-use aviation facility located in Cahokia, Illinois, serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. Strategically positioned just minutes from the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis city center, it is the busiest general aviation airport in the region and one of the most significant in Illinois. The airport plays a vital role in supporting corporate travel, private aviation, and flight training, being the home base for the Saint Louis University Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
The terminal building is a modern and professional facility that serves as the center for airport administration and passenger services. Inside, visitors will find a welcoming lobby area, multiple pilot's lounges with comfortable seating, and clean restroom facilities. Although the airport does not currently support scheduled commercial airline service, the terminal is designed to handle the needs of transient aviators and corporate personnel with high efficiency. Amenities at CPS include high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and a popular on-site restaurant, the Jetway Cafe, which offers a variety of dining options with views of the airfield and the St. Louis skyline.
Operational capacity at St. Louis Downtown Airport is supported by three primary paved runways, with the longest (12R/30L) measuring approximately 7,002 feet in length, which is capable of handling a wide range of regional aircraft and large corporate jets. The airport also boasts world-class support services provided by multiple Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs), including major facilities for Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located within a very short drive of downtown St. Louis, with taxi services and private vehicle transfers readily available to transport visitors to their local destinations or hotels.
๐ Connection Tips
St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS) is a strong private-aviation and corporate field, but it is not a scheduled-airline airport, so any connection through it is really a transfer into downtown St. Louis or to a larger commercial airport. The airport's biggest advantage is location. It puts travelers very close to the central business district and riverfront, which makes it highly attractive for business aviation. But that same advantage should not be confused with commercial-network flexibility. If your next segment depends on an airline, that airline is almost certainly somewhere else.
For many travelers, that means St. Louis Lambert becomes the real hub, and the surface transfer between downtown-area private aviation and the commercial airport system is the critical part of the itinerary. Because the airport sits so close to the city core, CPS works beautifully when the destination is downtown. It is less straightforward when the traveler assumes a same-day private-to-airline transfer will be trivial without planning.
Use CPS as a city-access airport, not as an airline-transfer station. Confirm the car service before landing, allow for downtown traffic and cross-metro movement, and if a commercial departure matters later the same day, give yourself more margin than the raw mileage suggests. CPS is efficient for reaching St. Louis quickly. The fragility begins when the trip depends on reconnecting to the scheduled-airline network afterward.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ambler Airport (ABL) is a remote, state-owned public-use airport located in the Native Alaskan village of Ambler, within the Northwest Arctic Borough. It serves as an indispensable lifeline for this isolated community, as there are no connecting roads. The airport's infrastructure is extremely basic, reflecting its role as a bush airport. There is no traditional terminal building; instead, operations are conducted from a small, heated shelter or a designated waiting area adjacent to the gravel runway. This single facility serves as the waiting lounge, check-in area, and baggage claim point.
The airport is equipped with two gravel runways, the longest measuring 3,000 feet, operating at an elevation of 334 feet above mean sea level. This design accommodates the small aircraft, typically Twin Otters or Cessnas, that are vital for connecting Ambler to larger regional hubs. Passengers should anticipate a highly informal process, with direct interactions with pilots and airline representatives from operators like Bering Air.
Amenities at Ambler Airport are exceptionally sparse. There are no cafes, restaurants, vending machines, or shops on-site. Travelers are strongly advised to bring all necessary provisions, including food, water, and personal supplies. Security procedures are minimal, consistent with bush flying operations in remote Alaska, focusing on adherence to general aviation safety guidelines.
๐ Connection Tips
Connections at Ambler Airport are exclusively through domestic bush flights, with Bering Air being the primary scheduled carrier. These flights are crucial for linking Ambler with the regional hub of Kotzebue (OTZ) and nearby villages like Shungnak (SHG) and Kobuk (OBU). Kotzebue's Ralph Wien Memorial Airport serves as the main gateway from which most flights to Ambler originate, providing essential connections to Anchorage via Alaska Airlines. Because there are no roads connecting this isolated part of the Northwest Arctic Borough to the rest of the state, these regional air links are the only way to transport supplies, personnel, and medical essentials to the community. Travelers should expect a highly personalized but informal experience, as flights often operate as multi-stop 'milk runs' across the Kobuk River valley.
Travel to and from Ambler is highly dependent on unpredictable Arctic weather conditions and available daylight hours. Flights are frequently subject to significant delays or total cancellations due to adverse weather patterns, including dense fog, heavy snow, or high winds, which are common throughout the year. It is crucial for all travelers to maintain flexible itineraries and to confirm their flight status directly with Bering Air or their charter operator before heading to the airstrip. Unlike major commercial airports, there are no inter-airline baggage transfer services here; all luggage is handled manually by the pilot and ground agents upon arrival and departure. Always prepare for the unexpected and carry essential items in your carry-on, as the challenging environment can lead to extended stays in regional hubs like Kotzebue.
Ground transportation in the village of Ambler is extremely limited and primarily relies on local community members or pre-arranged pickups from your lodging provider. There are no traditional taxi services, Uber, or rental cars readily available at the airport, which is located about 1.5 miles north of the village center. Most residents and visitors use ATVs (four-wheelers) during the summer and snow machines in the winter to navigate the gravel road between the airstrip and the community. Bering Air typically has a local agent who coordinates arrivals and can assist with logistics, but it is vital to have a clear plan for your ground transport well in advance of your touchdown to ensure you are not left stranded at the remote airfield.
Self-sufficiency is paramount when traveling to such an isolated destination, and coordination with local providers like the Kobuk River Lodge is highly recommended. This lodge is the primary provider for both accommodation and meals in Ambler and can often assist with arranging the necessary transport from the airport. During the summer months, travel between Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk can also be conducted via small boats on the Kobuk River, though this is a local arrangement and not part of any formal transit system. Having a thorough understanding of your ground logistics, including pre-booked lodging and a confirmed local contact for pickup, is as critical as your flight plan when navigating the unique challenges of the Alaskan bush.
โ Back to St Louis Downtown Airport