For decades, the Coleman A. Young International Airport (KDET) sat in a state of quiet — known to few beyond seasoned pilots, private jet users, and eastside Detroit residents. Once a hub of mid-century commercial air travel and innovation, the airport had gradually faded from the city’s center stage. But today, the narrative is shifting. With new leadership, renewed investment, and a bold vision for the future, KDET is reemerging as a critical player in Detroit’s mobility ecosystem — one with deep community potential and a 100-year legacy to build on.
KDET’s story began nearly a century ago, in 1927, when the first terminal opened at what was then known as Detroit City Airport. It quickly became a gateway to the skies, serving commercial airlines like American, United, and Southwest up through the 1990s. But as the airline industry consolidated around larger regional hubs, Detroit’s passenger traffic migrated to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), and KDET gradually shifted toward general aviation use.
Despite its shrinking visibility, KDET remained operational — continuously, 24/7, for nearly 100 years — quietly serving private pilots, corporate aviation, and charter flights. It even played a key role in history: Charles Lindbergh landed there in 1927 during his national tour; Amelia Earhart touched down in 1932; and the airport served as a hub for Tuskegee Airmen training during WWII. Still, without a modern layout plan or strategic investment, its future remained uncertain.
MY FLIGHT GROUNDBREAKING
That changed under the leadership of Airport Director Jason Watt, who took the helm as part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration. One of Watt’s first realizations was that KDET hadn’t completed an updated airport layout plan — a requirement every five years — in more than three decades. “We were way behind,” he said. “But once we got it done, it sparked a whole new wave of interest.”
The comprehensive study confirmed something important: on paper, KDET met all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport design criteria. “It meant we were open for business — and people have started to notice,” said Watt.
New Construction, New Energy
In 2023, KDET saw its first new structure in more than 60 years when AVFlight broke ground on a new Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facility. Watt says the project is more than symbolic — it represents Detroit’s serious return to the aviation map. “For years, aircraft owners flew into Oakland or Pontiac. This new FBO says we’re ready — and we’re thinking differently about the future of aviation,” he said.
KDET now fluctuates between the fourth- and fifth-busiest airports in the state. With expanded hangars, administration buildings, and flight services, it’s poised to grow further. But Watt emphasizes that the airport’s transformation is about more than traffic volume. “The focus is also on community, workforce, and equity.”
One of the most exciting developments is the planned return of Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace Technical High School — a long-standing aviation-focused public school — to airport grounds. “Bringing it back is a big moment,” Watt said. “But it’s not the end of our education efforts. We’re in major negotiations for more partnerships.”
YOUTH PROGRAM
“We see a tremendous opportunity to prepare a qualified workforce in Detroit,” Watt added. “Mechanics, pilots, drone technicians — there’s a whole economy here.”
Integrating the Airport into the Community
Watt is acutely aware that many Detroiters still don’t realize the airport is operational — or that it’s meant for them. “Historically, the airport was used mostly by business executives and celebrities. Our job now is to reconnect it with the community,” he said.
From helicopter tours to drone demonstrations, the goal is to make aviation accessible. “Whether you’re on the west side or the east side, the airport is for you — to explore, to work in, to learn,” he said.
The airport’s relevance doesn’t stop at jets and propellers. Watt sees KDET as a future hub for next-generation mobility, including air taxis and unmanned aerial systems. “The way I see it, not every trip needs a 737,” he said. “In the next five to ten years, trips to Flint or Lansing might be done with drones or small air taxis. I want to make sure we’re relevant in that space.”
The airport is also working with Ford’s Michigan Central mobility innovation district and exploring partnerships in drone delivery, infrastructure, and training. “Detroit has an opportunity to lead in future mobility — and KDET can be a launchpad for that,” Watt said.
AVFLIGHT
When asked how he responds to skeptics who question the value of investing in a smaller municipal airport, Watt is clear. “Airports drive commerce,” he said. “And the ability for a company to get in and out of Detroit fast — that’s an enormous advantage. Our job is to operate efficiently and contribute to the city’s success.”
But for Watt, it’s also personal. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I cherish what I do. I’m excited for our future and grateful for the opportunity to prove what this airport can do — for the city, for aviation, and for the community.”
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