โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA), also known as Williamson County Regional Airport, is a modern and efficient facility serving the city of Marion and the broader southern Illinois region. The terminal is a well-maintained building that handles regular domestic commercial flights, primarily connecting the area with major hubs like Chicago and St. Louis. it provides a vital air link for the regional business community, local residents, and visitors to the scenic southern Illinois area.
Inside the terminal, passengers can find standard amenities such as check-in counters, a comfortable waiting lounge, and basic food and beverage services. The airport is equipped with modern security and baggage handling systems, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers. It also serves a significant number of general aviation, corporate, and military aircraft, supporting local industry and economic activity in Williamson County and the surrounding districts.
Ground transportation to Marion and nearby cities like Carbondale is easily accessible via local taxis, car rentals, and pre-arranged shuttle services. The airport is conveniently located near major road links, including Interstate 55, providing quick access to the entire southern Illinois region. It continues to play a vital role in the economic development and connectivity of the area, facilitating the movement of people and supporting the local business and educational sectors.
๐ Connection Tips
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois is a small, easy airport to use, and that simplicity is its main connection advantage. The airport is useful precisely because it saves you from a longer drive from St. If your itinerary still depends on another major airport or a longer drive into southern Illinois, leave margin and do not assume the schedule can be compressed endlessly just because the airport itself is fast.
The terminal is not complicated, parking is close, and the drive into Marion is short, so the main planning question is not how to get through the building but how you are handling the wider southern Illinois trip afterward. Louis, Nashville, or Paducah, but it is still a small regional field with limited backup if your first transport plan falls through. Carry the exact destination and any hotel shuttle details before you land.
If you are going to SIU, the Shawnee region, Marion medical facilities, or local business sites, arrange the car or pickup in advance and keep expectations realistic about rideshare depth outside the busiest hours. That means MWA works best when the flight and road leg are treated as one straightforward movement. MWA is convenient and low-friction, but the successful trip still comes from having the landside plan settled before arrival rather than treating the airport as a place to improvise.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary international airport serving New Mexico, located just three miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport boasts a distinctive Pueblo-style architectural terminal, which is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. This single, multi-level terminal efficiently manages all arrivals and departures, featuring a logical layout designed for passenger convenience. The lower level is dedicated to arriving passengers, housing baggage claim areas (three in total to serve Concourses A and B) and providing direct exits to ground transportation.
The upper level of the terminal is the departure zone, where travelers will find airline ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and access to the two main concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A primarily serves American Airlines, Delta, and United, while Southwest Airlines predominantly operates out of Concourse B. The terminal has a total of 22 gates, ensuring ample capacity for its scheduled domestic flights and limited international services. Recent upgrades include a TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project, which has enhanced security screening with up to four lanes and modern passenger amenities like new escalators and elevators.
Amenities at ABQ are comprehensive for a regional international facility. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations, a variety of shops (including those offering local artisanal gifts), and diverse dining options ranging from cafes and fast-food outlets to restaurants serving New Mexican cuisine. Additional facilities like a Meditation Room and an observation deck contribute to a comfortable travel experience, complemented by a notable art collection displayed throughout the terminal.
๐ Connection Tips
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers excellent ground transportation connectivity just 3 miles southeast of downtown. ABQ RIDE provides completely free bus service (fare-free since November 2023) with Route 50 connecting the airport to downtown via Union Square Bus Station every 15-30 minutes, taking just 24 minutes total - the bus stop is conveniently located on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island. Route 50 also connects to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown where passengers can transfer to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner connections are enhanced through Route 350 (Railrunner Connecting bus) and free bus transfers when you have a valid Rail Runner ticket purchased in advance online or via mobile app - otherwise pay the driver a $1 fare each way. Official taxi service is available with fares starting at $35 to downtown Albuquerque through companies like ABQ Metro Taxi (505-450-8580) and Aspen Rides (505-388-3692). Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft requires pre-booking as street hailing is not permitted.
For Santa Fe destinations, Groome Transportation operates 30 daily trips taking 75 minutes with variable pricing, while RoadRunner Charter provides door-to-door service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. The Rail Runner Express connects Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen with convenient airport shuttle connections. Recent December 2025 improvements under the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan enhanced transit connectivity throughout the metropolitan area.
โ Back to Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois