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Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA/KMWA) is a public airport about three miles east of Marion, Illinois, serving Southern Illinois, Carbondale, and the Shawnee National Forest region. Renamed in 2014 to honor military veterans, it provides Essential Air Service commercial flights and general aviation facilities near Interstate 57.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors appreciate that parking is free and steps from the terminal, so you can arrive much closer to departure than at a major hub—but confirm Contour's check-in cutoff, as it can be enforced strictly.
🚖 Getting There
The airport is reached via Illinois Route 13 and Airport Road from I-57 exit 54; drive time is short from Marion and about 20–25 minutes from Carbondale. Rental cars are available on-site, but taxis and rideshare can be limited, so arrange return transportation in advance. Parking is directly outside the terminal, making drop-off and pick-up quick.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines fly to MWA?
A: Contour Airlines provides scheduled Essential Air Service flights, typically to Nashville International Airport (BNA) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). Check current schedules before booking.
Q: How far is the airport from Marion and Carbondale?
A: It is about 3 miles east of downtown Marion and roughly 20 miles east of Carbondale, with easy access from Interstate 57.
Q: Is parking available at the airport?
A: Yes, on-site parking is available close to the terminal, and it is generally free or low-cost compared with larger airports.
Q: What are the airport codes?
A: The IATA code is MWA, the ICAO code is KMWA, and the FAA identifier is MWA.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 29, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash