Two Wichita Falls Airports: What's The Deal?

Wichita Falls Regional Airport is a joint military-civilian airport located six miles north of Wichita Falls in Wichita County, Texas. It is the nearest airport to Wichita Falls and is also serviced by the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. The City of Wichita Falls also operates a second public airport, the Kickapoo Downtown Airport, which services local and transit general aviation aircraft.

Wichita Falls Regional Airport

The airport, which covers 3,800 acres of land, was originally established in 1928 as Wichita Falls' first airport. It was initially named Kell Field, in honour of a prominent local financier and builder, Frank Kell. The airport was privately owned and operated until it was sold to the City of Wichita Falls, and commercial flights were shifted to the Sheppard Air Force Base in 1955.

Over the years, various airlines have served the Wichita Falls Regional Airport. Braniff Airways, which began serving the airport in 1930, operated an Amarillo-Wichita Falls-Dallas route until 1969. Continental Airlines provided service from 1946 to 1977, and Texas International Airlines introduced jet service in 1968 with several daily nonstop flights to destinations like Dallas/Fort Worth, Amarillo, Houston, and Denver.

Currently, the airport offers daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport through American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines. Wichita Falls Regional Airport also provides car rental services from Hertz, Avis, and Budget Rent A Car, making it convenient for travellers arriving or departing from the airport.

With a long history and a mix of military and civilian operations, the Wichita Falls Regional Airport continues to serve the region, providing essential connectivity to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Wichita Falls Municipal Airport

Wichita Falls is now served by Wichita Falls Regional Airport, which is located six miles north of the city in Wichita County, Texas. The airport is a joint military/civilian facility that shares runways and taxiways with Sheppard Air Force Base. American Eagle operates commercial flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and the airport is also served by American Airlines. Wichita Falls Regional Airport covers 3,800 acres of land and has four runways. In the year ending September 30, 2020, the airport recorded 202,034 aircraft operations, averaging 553 per day.

Wichita Falls' first airport

Wichita Falls Regional Airport is the primary airport serving Wichita Falls, Texas. It is a joint civilian and military airport, sharing runways and taxiways with Sheppard Air Force Base. The airport is located six miles north of Wichita Falls in Wichita County.

The airport, originally named Kell Field, opened on July 4, 1928. The name honoured Frank Kell, a prominent financier and builder from Wichita Falls. Two U.S. Army planes from Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio were the first to land at the airport.

Kell Field was initially a privately owned airport, but it was later sold to the City of Wichita Falls. In 1955, commercial air service was transferred from Kell Field to Sheppard Air Force Base. The airport was eventually renamed Wichita Falls Regional Airport, reflecting its role as the primary airport serving the region.

Today, Wichita Falls Regional Airport offers daily flights to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, operated by American Eagle. The airport features four runways and handles a significant volume of military and civilian air traffic.

Commercial flights to Dallas/Fort Worth

Wichita Falls Regional Airport offers daily commercial flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. The airport is served by one regional airline, American Airlines, with flights serviced by American Eagle.

The average price of a round-trip flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Wichita Falls is $399, while a one-way ticket starts at $279. The average flight time is 1 hour and 3 minutes, with the earliest departure time being 12:25 pm and the latest at 8:55 pm.

There are 2 nonstop flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Wichita Falls every day, with 14 flights per week. The most common departure time is 7:00 pm, and most flights take off in the evening.

American Airlines offers direct flights from Wichita Falls to Dallas/Fort Worth, with a travel time of 1 hour and 5 minutes. The flight departs at 6:18 am and arrives at 7:23 am.

Other airlines that have previously served the Wichita Falls to Dallas/Fort Worth route include Braniff Airways, Continental Airlines, Texas International Airlines, Rio Airways, Texas Star Airlines, Trans-Central Airlines, Air Spirit Airlines, and Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

Military Appreciation

The Wichita Falls Regional Airport is a joint civilian and military airport, sharing runways and taxiways with the Sheppard Air Force Base. With most of its operations serving a military function, the airport is an excellent example of military-civilian cooperation. The airport also serves as a hub for American Airlines, with daily flights to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

Wichita Falls Regional Airport has a long history of military use, dating back to its early years. In 1928, the airport was originally named Kell Field, honouring a prominent local financier and builder, Frank Kell. Interestingly, the first airplanes to land at the airport were two U.S. Army planes from Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio. This military connection continued when commercial air service was moved from Kell Field to Sheppard Air Force Base in 1955.

The airport plays an important role in the community, providing a comfortable and efficient link to the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for civilians and military personnel alike. It also serves as a convenient location for Charter Flights and private aircraft. Wichita Falls Regional Airport is an asset to the region, offering a range of services that cater to both military and civilian aviation needs.

In recognition of the service and sacrifice of our military, the airport offers a unique exhibit that combines the past and present of aviation. The "Jenny to Jet" exhibit showcases a genuine Jenny biplane, honouring the history of Call Field as a World War I training camp for the United States Army Air Corps. On the other hand, the "Jet" side of the exhibit features modern aviation marvels, including a T-38 jet and a jet engine from an A-10, highlighting the advancements of the Sheppard Air Force Base.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the military personnel who dedicate their lives to serving our nation. Wichita Falls Regional Airport stands as a testament to the strong partnership between our civilian community and our brave men and women in uniform.

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