How often are flights delayed at CMI?

17% of departures from University of Illinois Willard Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-06 and 2026-05, with an average departure delay of 17 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.

What is the best time of day to depart from CMI?

Flights scheduled around 7 a.m. depart on time 90% of the time at CMI, versus 68% around 6 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.

What is the worst month for delays at CMI?

In this dataset, December 2025 was the weakest month at CMI, with 71% of departures on time.

How often are flights cancelled at CMI?

1.9% of scheduled departures from CMI were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI): Delays & On-Time Performance

Data through May 2026

University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) is a tale of two seasons: departures ran 95% on-time in October 2024 but sank to 71% in December 2025. Across the year it averages 83% against a national 78%, over roughly 5 departures a day to 2 destinations.

Departures on-time: 83%; left <15 min late
Avg dep delay: 17 min
Arrivals on-time: 77%
Cancelled: 1.9%
Destinations: 2; nonstop
Airlines: 1

Plan your departure from CMI

The choices most likely to improve your odds, based on this airport’s historical record.

Best departure time: Around 7 a.m.; 90% on-time
Best day to fly: Saturday; 84% on-time
Nearest alternative: DEC — Decatur; 34 miles away
Cancellation risk: 1.9%; above the US average

Check routes from CMI ↓Compare nearby airports ↓

Monthly on-time trend

Best time of day to depart from CMI

By day of week

Day	On-time	Avg delay
Monday	77%	19 min
Tuesday	80%	16 min
Wednesday	80%	17 min
Thursday	81%	17 min
Friday	81%	17 min
Saturdaybest	84%	17 min
Sunday	76%	23 min

Next: compare the busiest routes from CMI ↓

Busiest routes from CMI

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
CMI → ORD (Chicago)	1,024	77%	19 min
CMI → DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth)	728	84%	17 min

Where flights into CMI come from

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
ORD (Chicago) → CMI	1,024	72%	19 min
DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) → CMI	728	83%	13 min

What causes delays at CMI

Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT, weighted across routes departing CMI.

Late-arriving aircraft46%
Airline operations27%
National airspace system22%
Weather6%

Alternative airports near Champaign/Urbana

Other airports within 120 miles, compared on departure reliability.

Airport	Distance	On-time departures	Avg delay
DEC — Decatur Airport	34 mi	81%	27 min
BMI — Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal	45 mi	85%	15 min
SPI — Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport	75 mi	78%	19 min
PIA — General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport	86 mi	78%	23 min
IND — Indianapolis International Airport	107 mi	82%	14 min

Compare the airport-level record first, then check the exact route you plan to book.

Frequently asked questions

How often are flights delayed at CMI?: 17% of departures from University of Illinois Willard Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-06 and 2026-05, with an average departure delay of 17 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.
What is the best time of day to depart from CMI?: Flights scheduled around 7 a.m. depart on time 90% of the time at CMI, versus 68% around 6 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.
What is the worst month for delays at CMI?: In this dataset, December 2025 was the weakest month at CMI, with 71% of departures on time.
How often are flights cancelled at CMI?: 1.9% of scheduled departures from CMI were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

Popular route pages from this airport

Related guides

Based on 3,160 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.