Apassenger wanting to fly out of Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) can only choose from among the six warm-weather domestic destinations to which ultra-LCC Allegiant Air, the lone passenger carrier serving the Illinois airport, operates. Yet, an Emirates Boeing 777 can regularly be seen landing at the airport, located about 70 miles from Chicago. Emirates SkyCargo, which started 777 freighter flights to RFD last year, is among a growing cohort of major cargo players utilizing well-positioned secondary airports to avoid intense congestion at major hubs.
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