
Middle Georgia Regional Airport
The Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) serves as a vital transportation hub for central Georgia, located just south of Macon. It offers a blend of convenience and efficiency for travelers, providing commercial air service, general aviation facilities, and support for cargo and military operations. MCN is known for its easy accessibility, streamlined passenger experience, and close proximity to major highways, making it an attractive option for both business and leisure travelers in the region. The airport’s modern amenities, ample parking, and welcoming atmosphere reflect its commitment to enhancing connectivity while fostering economic growth in the Middle Georgia area.
Facilities & Aircraft
Middle Georgia Regional Airport spans 1,149 acres and features two asphalt runways: Runway 5/23 measures 6,500 feet long, while Runway 13/31 is 5,000 feet long—both accommodating a variety of aircraft. Over the year ending April 30, 2023, the airport recorded 19,725 aircraft operations, averaging 54 per day. These included 87% general aviation, 9% air taxi, 3% military, and 1% scheduled commercial flights. The airport is home to 84 based aircraft, including 43 single-engine planes, 27 multi-engine planes, 11 jets, and 3 helicopters, showcasing its diverse aviation activity.
Brief History
Middle Georgia Regional Airport has a rich history dating back to 1940 when Macon’s Chamber of Commerce worked to attract defense installations. The Army Air Corps selected a site in Avondale, 9 miles south of the city, which became Cochran Field. Initially training British Royal Air Force cadets during WWII, the base later hosted U.S. Army flight training until its closure in 1945.
Post-war, Cochran Field became Macon’s municipal airport, with airlines moving there after a tornado damaged Smart Field in 1947. The current passenger terminal, built in 1959, was renovated in 2003. The airport also housed the Georgia Air National Guard’s 202d Engineering Installation Squadron until 2011.
Today, it serves as a hub for aviation activity, including a repair facility opened by Embraer in 2019. Previously known as Cochran Field, Macon Municipal Airport, and Lewis B. Wilson Municipal Airport, it remains a key part of the region’s aviation and economic landscape.
Commercial Service
Middle Georgia Regional Airport has a long history with commercial airlines. Delta and Eastern Airlines began service in the 1940s with Douglas DC-3s, later upgrading to Convair 440s and DC-9 jets by the 1970s. Eastern ended service in 1979, and Delta transitioned to Delta Connection through ASA in the mid-1980s. Other carriers like Eastern Express, Piedmont Commuter, and USAir Express provided flights to Atlanta and Charlotte before Eastern folded in 1991. Delta Connection remained until 2008, followed by GeorgiaSkies and Silver Airways, whose limited service led to a significant drop in passenger numbers, leaving the airport without commercial service from 2014 to 2017.
In August 2017, Contour Airlines restored flights with daily service to Baltimore using 30-passenger ERJ-135 aircraft, boosting passenger numbers. Contour also briefly offered flights to Tampa and continues to operate occasional casino charters.