Airport Overview
Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (KARB/ARB) is a general aviation reliever owned and operated by the City of Ann Arbor, situated in Pittsfield Township roughly four miles south of downtown Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus. It handles corporate, charter, training, and private piston traffic with no scheduled airline service, giving business travelers a fast, uncongested alternative to Detroit Metropolitan (KDTW).
Runway Capability
The airport's hard-surface runway, 6/24, measures 3,505 by 75 feet of grooved concrete; the secondary Runway 12/30 is 2,750 feet of turf. This is a short field by jet standards — practical for light jets and turboprops such as the Citation CJ series, Phenom 100, HondaJet, and King Airs when runway-length and weight calculations allow. Operators of midsize or heavier jets should plan on nearby Willow Run (KYIP) or Detroit Metro (KDTW).
Tower & Airspace
Contrary to many general aviation relievers its size, KARB has an FAA air traffic control tower operating daily from 0800 to 2000 local on 120.3. When the tower is closed, the airport reverts to non-towered procedures on the same frequency as CTAF. Instrument access is provided by RNAV (GPS) approaches to Runway 6 and Runway 24.
FBOs & Ground Services
Two fixed-base operators serve the field. ACE Aviation Center is a full-service FBO and Cirrus service center offering Jet-A, 100LL, ground handling, oxygen, parking, and maintenance. Solo Aviation provides fuel, parking, full-service maintenance, and flight training. Both offer Jet-A and 100LL; pre-arrival calls are advisable to confirm handling, hangar space, and after-hours fueling.
Charter Considerations
There is no on-field U.S. Customs and Border Protection at KARB, so international arrivals must clear at a port of entry such as Detroit Metro (KDTW) or Willow Run (KYIP) first. For domestic charter, The Jet Finder sources light jets and turboprops sized to the 3,505-foot runway and coordinates fuel, handling, and ground transportation into Ann Arbor.
Seasonal & Operational Factors
Southeast Michigan winters bring snow, ice, and occasional freezing precipitation; winter departures may require de-icing, adding time and cost. The 839-foot field elevation keeps density altitude manageable year-round. Summer convection peaks in late afternoon, so morning departures generally see smoother, clearer conditions. The turf Runway 12/30 may be unusable when soft or snow-covered.
Regional Context
KARB anchors a dense cluster of southeast Michigan fields. Willow Run (KYIP), 10 NM east, offers far longer runways and customs for larger jets, while Detroit Metropolitan (KDTW) provides full international and heavy-jet capability. For travelers headed to Ann Arbor proper, KARB delivers the shortest ground transfer; for larger aircraft or international trips, the nearby alternatives are the better fit.