The 8 Busiest Airports in Arkansas, Ranked
If you’re planning to catch a flight in Arkansas anytime soon, you’ll want to know how busy you can expect your airport to be. You’ll also want to know whether it ranks as regional or national, what amenities it offers, and – most importantly – where to find it. Read on for this and more as we rank the top eight airports in Arkansas from the slowest to the busiest!
8. South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field: 3,078 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 418 Airport Dr, El Dorado, AR 71730, United States
One of the busiest airports in Arkansas is the South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field in El Dorado. In 2021, this airport saw 3,078 enplanements, which was up 26.82% from its 2020 total of 2,427 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration (FAA) LOCID (location identifier) is ELD.
The South Arkansas Regional Airport services El Dorado as well as the entirety of South Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. Its airport services include two runways, hangar services, and car rentals. In 2009, El Dorado’s downtown was voted “America’s Best Downtown,” giving travelers the opportunity to shop, eat, and sightsee near the airport.
7. Jonesboro Municipal Airport: 4,041 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 3901 Lindbergh Dr, Jonesboro, AR 72401, United States
The seventh-busiest airport in Arkansas is the Jonesboro Municipal Airport located three miles east of Jonesboro. In 2021, this airport saw 4,041 enplanements, which was up 55.12% from its 2020 total of 2,605 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is JBR.
The Jonesboro Municipal Airport is currently served by Southern Airways Express, which operates an average of three roundtrip flights daily to airports in St. Louis and Nashville. Plans are underway to strengthen the airport’s pavement, which will improve safety and operations as well as accommodate larger aircraft. In addition to flights, the airport offers free short- and long-term parking to passengers.
6. Memorial Field Airport: 4,388 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 525 Airport Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913, United States
The sixth-busiest airport in Arkansas is Memorial Field Airport in Hot Springs. In 2021, this airport saw 4,388 enplanements, which was up 45.15% from its 2020 total of 3,023 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is HOT.
Memorial Field Airport is served by Southern Airways Express, which operates commercial flights to and from airports in Dallas/Fort Worth and Memphis. One of only six commercial airports in the state, it uses the nine-passenger Cessna Caravan (C208) aircraft.
5. Boone County Airport: 4,761 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 2524 Airport Rd, Harrison, AR 72601, United States
The fifth-busiest airport in Arkansas is Boone County Airport in Harrison. In 2021, this regional airport saw 4,761 enplanements, which was up 36.30% from its 2020 total of 3,493 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is HRO.
In addition to its usual flights, Boone County Airport offers various hangars, rental cars, and free parking for passengers. It is served by Southern Airways Express, which operates flights to airports in Dallas/Fort Worth and Memphis. Harrison happens to be located near a number of other towns and cities like Branson, MI and Eureka Springs, AR, making it a convenient hub for visitors to the area.
4. Texarkana Regional Airport: 26,888 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 201 Airport Dr, Texarkana, AR 71854, United States
One of the busiest airports in Arkansas is Texarkana Regional Airport in Texarkana. Ranking fourth on our list, it sees significantly more traffic than the state’s fifth-ranked airport, Boone County. In 2021, Texarkana Regional Airport saw 26,888 enplanements, which was up 55.06% from its 2020 total of 17,340 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is TXK.
The Texarkana airport offers around 150 parking spaces and free one-hour parking for drop-offs and pick-ups. It also provides free vehicle services like jump starts, tire inflations, and help locating a vehicle. The airport is served by American Airlines, which provides daily nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
3. Fort Smith Regional Airport: 45,369 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 6700 McKennon Blvd Ste 200, Fort Smith, AR 72903, United States
Near the top of our list of the busiest airports in Arkansas is Fort Smith Regional Airport in Fort Smith. In 2021, this airport saw 45,369 enplanements, which was up 23.07% from its 2020 total of 36,864 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is FSM.
Fort Smith Regional Airport offers parking, car rentals, and taxi and limousine services. It is served by American Airlines, which operates flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. In nearby Fort Smith, there are ample hotels, dining options, and sightseeing opportunities for visitors.
2. Northwest Arkansas National Airport: 598,787 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 1 Airport Blvd, Bentonville, AR 72712, United States
As one of two national airports in Arkansas, the Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Bentonville sees much more air traffic than most of the hubs on this list. In 2021, it saw 598,787 enplanements, which was up 72.95% from its 2020 total of 346,215 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is XNA.
The Northwest Arkansas National Airport offers an average of 30 flights a day to major locations across the United States. Airlines operating out of this airport include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport itself offers animal services (including a pet relief area), a nursing area for mothers, a quiet room, business centers, a play area, and several dining options.
1. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport: 827,922 Enplanements (2021)
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- Address: 1 Airport Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States
The busiest airport in Arkansas is the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (Adams Field) in the state capital, Little Rock. In 2021, this airport saw 827,922 enplanements, which was up 76.39% from its 2020 total of 469,380 enplanements. Its Federal Avian Administration LOCID is LIT.
At one point, the Clinton National Airport went by the name Little Rock National Airport. In addition to its usual range of flights, it offers amenities like a nursing room for mothers, a pet relief area, and various dining options like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. Airlines operating out of this airport include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
Summary Table of the 8 Busiest Airports in Arkansas
Ranking | FAA LOCID | Airport | City | Enplanements (2021) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LIT | Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (Adams Field) | Little Rock | 827,922 |
2 | XNA | Northwest Arkansas National Airport | Bentonville | 598,787 |
3 | FSM | Fort Smith Regional Airport | Fort Smith | 45,369 |
4 | TXK | Texarkana Regional Airport (Webb Field) | Texarkana | 26,888 |
5 | HRO | Boone County Airport | Harrison | 4,761 |
6 | HOT | Memorial Field Airport | Hot Springs | 4,388 |
7 | JBR | Jonesboro Municipal Airport | Jonesboro | 4,041 |
8 | ELD | South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field | El Dorado | 3,078 |
Conclusion
For the busiest airports in the United States, check out this article.