Airport Overview
Martin State Airport (KMTN) is a Maryland Aviation Administration-owned general aviation reliever sited along the Chesapeake shoreline at Middle River, about nine nautical miles east of downtown Baltimore. It serves the Baltimore-Washington corridor as an uncongested alternative to BWI, offering direct ramp access, on-field U.S. Customs, and a control tower without the airline traffic of the primary hub.
History & Heritage
The field began as the plant airport for the Glenn L. Martin Company, one of America's pioneering military aircraft manufacturers, which built and tested aircraft here from the 1920s through the 1960s. The State of Maryland acquired the airport in 1974, and it remains co-located with the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base.
Runway Capability
A single runway, 15/33, provides 6,997 feet of grooved asphalt at near-sea-level elevation. That length and low elevation make KMTN suitable for everything from turboprops and light jets to super-midsize and, with appropriate performance planning, heavy and long-range jets. ILS, RNAV (GPS), and VOR approaches support dependable instrument access.
Charter Considerations
For Baltimore-area travelers, Martin State frequently beats BWI on convenience: no airline terminal, minimal ground delay, and a short drive to the city and the eastern suburbs. The Jet Finder sources FAA Part 135 aircraft positioned near KMTN and evaluates empty-leg and repositioning opportunities to control one-way pricing on departures from the field.
Customs & International Access
U.S. Customs and Border Protection service is available at Martin State, making it a practical port of entry for international business-jet arrivals into the Baltimore region. Crews should arrange CBP coordination in advance through the FBO; The Jet Finder can confirm current hours and notice requirements as part of trip planning.
Safety & Planning
Operations at KMTN take place within a towered, shared civil-military environment and near the Washington, D.C. Special Flight Rules Area. Pilots should review NOTAMs for tower hours, any runway-rehabilitation closures, and SFRA/FRZ requirements. The Jet Finder works exclusively with Part 135 operators whose crews meet federal duty, rest, and currency standards.
Regional Context
Within Maryland's airspace, Martin State complements BWI and the Washington-area fields by offering a close-in, lower-fee option for the northeast Baltimore market. Nearby relievers and the broader Mid-Atlantic network give operators flexibility for alternates, repositioning, and fuel stops along the busy I-95 corridor.