ROCKFORD – Since its passenger service was re-established in 2003, Chicago Rockford International Airport has focused much of its marketing on Western Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and the surrounding Rockford area.

That’s why, when surveys of boarding passengers taken during the last two years showed about 35 percent of business was coming from the western Chicago suburbs, RFD Director Mike Dunn decided it was time to expand the airport’s reach.

“We’ve never really advertised or marketed much into that region,” Dunn said. “The awareness that we’re drawing (passengers from the east) now. ... We’re going to really start marketing it because we’re going to be adding a few new destinations this year.”