Willmar Municipal Airport–John L. Rice Field (ILL)

Willmar Municipal Airport–John L. Rice Field is the city-owned public-use airport serving Willmar and Kandiyohi County in west-central Minnesota. It functions mainly as a general aviation gateway for private, business, charter and emergency services rather than scheduled airline flights. The current airport opened in 2006 on Highway 40 SW, about two miles west of Willmar's central business district.

The field is named for John L. Rice, who managed Willmar's original airport from 1945 to 1980. That original airfield was established in 1934 as a federal work relief project during the New Deal. Limited room for additional hangars and the need for safer instrument-approach areas led to planning a replacement facility, and the present-day airport was built two miles to the west.

Today the airport has a 5,500-by-100-foot paved runway and a 3,000-by-250-foot turf runway, with precision and non-precision instrument approaches and hangar space. The terminal building houses a passenger waiting lounge, meeting room, restrooms, vending and concession area, phone and internet access, and free parking, plus a flight planning area and pilot facilities. The fixed-base operator, Oasis Aero, provides aircraft fuel, maintenance, ramp and tie-down services, and rental car assistance.

Road access from Willmar is quick via Highway 40, making the airport a short drive from the city centre and the Willmar Lakes Area. Its modern facilities and general aviation services support local businesses and regional travel across central Minnesota.