Prioritizing convenience and passenger experience, Dayton International Airport (DAY) is proving a popular alternative to other airports
By Gil Turner, Director of Aviation, Dayton International Airport
Flight is an integral part of the city of Dayton’s identity. Hometown of the Wright Brothers, our city is known as the “Birthplace of Aviation.” Modern aviation in Dayton revolves around Dayton International Airport (DAY). DAY is located a short distance from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and close to the “Crossroads of America.”
DAY also sits between two major cities. Located just north of Cincinnati and just west of Columbus, we have had to focus on what differentiates us. Our great selling point is convenience. You can park in the garage, walk over to the ticket counters, check in and be at your gate in less than 20 minutes.
Easy To and Through
DAY’s emphasis on convenience is encapsulated by our slogan: “Easy to and through.”
We have a lot of amenities here, from checkpoints and lanes that move people through the airport quickly to restaurants and shops that help you get what you need and then on your way. DAY also offers covered parking in the garage for around 1,400 cars, with about 5,000 spaces on-airport in total.
Over the past five years, DAY has invested over $45 million in modernizing the terminal. Improvements have included new terrazzo flooring, windows to increase natural light, more energy-efficient HVAC systems and a modified parking garage with improved access to rental cars.
We wanted the terminal to be a beautiful space for the community. DAY is making even more improvements in the future, including a refurbishment of Concourse B. Work on improving our elevators and escalators is underway as well.
Ongoing Upgrades
Ongoing upgrades to the experience at DAY complement what is already a high-functioning hub for aviation. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Allegiant Air all serve our passengers with air service to key destinations. In 2024, around 645,000 passengers traveled through DAY.
DAY has three runways—one of which is close to 11,000 feet in length and capable of accommodating any size of aircraft that might land or take off in the city. The airfield recently received a $14 million investment to replace an aging center ramp. This FAA-funded project allowed us to replace around 54,000 square-yards of concrete.
An Aviation Gem
As well as a popular passenger airport, DAY is a focal point for Ohio business. Several organizations have taken up locations onsite recently, including the Sierra Nevada Corporation and Joby Aviation.
By providing a quality service for our passengers and supporting some of the country’s most pioneering aviation firms, DAY is furthering the city of Dayton’s proud legacy of flight. Our goal now is to help the airport capitalize on its strengths, enhancing its status as an aviation gem of the Gem City and a true alternative to larger airports.
Gil Turner joined the City of Dayton Department of Aviation in 2002 as an airport operations and maintenance supervisor. He was promoted to airport operations manager in 2007 and deputy director of aviation in 2010. In 2020, he was named the director of the Dayton International Airport. Turner saw the airport through the COVID-19 pandemic and is leading its recovery. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Associate of Science in Aircraft Systems Maintenance at the Community College of the Air Force.
