Is There An Airport In Abilene, Texas?

Abilene, Texas is served by Abilene Regional Airport, located 3 miles southeast of the city centre in Taylor County. The airport is accessible from anywhere in the world and offers 5 daily non-stop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as flights to other destinations such as Denver, Atlanta, and New Orleans. The airport covers 1,644 acres and has two asphalt runways, with a new 130-foot control tower completed in 2012.

Abilene Regional Airport's location

Abilene Regional Airport is located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of downtown Abilene, in Taylor County, Texas. The airport is within the Abilene city limits and is owned and operated by the city. The address for the airport is 2933 Airport Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602.

The airport covers 1,644 acres (665 ha) and has two asphalt runways: 17L/35R 7,198 ft × 150 ft (2,194 m × 46 m), and 17R/35L 7,202 ft × 150 ft (2,195 m × 46 m). The terminal has airline ticket counters, a restaurant, a gift shop, airport offices, and two departure gates, each with jetway boarding bridges. The lower level has two baggage carousels and car rental agencies.

Abilene Regional Airport is accessible from anywhere in the world and offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), operated by Envoy Air as American Eagle. The airport also offers charter flights to various destinations.

Airlines that serve Abilene, Texas

Abilene, Texas, is served by Abilene Regional Airport, located 3 miles southeast of downtown Abilene in Taylor County. The airport is within the city limits and is owned and operated by the city.

• American Airlines offers flights to and from Abilene Regional Airport to destinations including Las Vegas, Dallas, Orlando, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, New Orleans, San Diego, Houston, and Charlotte.
• American Eagle operates daily Embraer regional jet flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. As of December 2022, all flights were operated by Envoy Air.
• United Express offered nonstop service to Houston from October 2020 to October 2021.
• SkyWest Airlines operated the United Express flights to Houston.
• Allegiant Airlines operated twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas in 2006-2007.
• Sun Country Airlines operates flights to Las Vegas on an occasional basis.
• Chaparral Airlines was a regional airline based in Abilene that began service in 1976. It became an American Eagle airline in 1984.

History of Abilene's airport

Abilene Regional Airport (IATA: ABI, ICAO: KABI, FAA LID: ABI) is a public airport located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of downtown Abilene, Texas. The airport is owned and operated by the city of Abilene and is located within the city limits.

The history of Abilene Regional Airport can be traced back to the 1930s when it served as a stop on American Airlines' overnight service between Dallas and Los Angeles. During this decade, American Airlines operated 12-passenger Curtiss Condors with sleeper berths, connecting Dallas Love Field, Fort Worth, Abilene, Big Spring, El Paso, Douglas, Tucson, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. In the 1940s, American Airlines continued its service with Douglas DC-3s, adding San Diego to the route. However, American Airlines discontinued its service to Abilene in 1949 and would not return until the 1980s with the establishment of American Eagle.

In the 1940s, Pioneer Air Lines began operating Douglas DC-3s and Martin 2-0-2s from Abilene, offering flights to various destinations in Texas and New Mexico, including Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby Airport, Albuquerque, Fort Worth, Amarillo, and Lubbock. Pioneer Air Lines was later merged into Continental Airlines in 1955, expanding the network of destinations served by the airport.

Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Continental Airlines served Abilene with Convair 340s, Convair 440s, and Vickers Viscounts. During this period, the airport expanded its reach, with direct flights to Dallas Love Field and Albuquerque. However, Continental Airlines eventually withdrew its services from Abilene in 1963.

Trans-Texas Airways (TTa) replaced Continental Airlines and introduced the first jet service to Abilene with Douglas DC-9-10s by 1968. TTa offered nonstop flights to Austin and Lubbock and direct flights to other cities in Texas and New Mexico. The airline later rebranded as Texas International (TI), continuing to serve Abilene with DC-9 and Convair 600 flights.

In the late 1970s, Texas International expanded its services, offering up to four nonstop DC-9s per day from San Antonio to Abilene, in addition to four daily DC-9 flights to Dallas/Fort Worth. The airport even had a form of international service, with Texas International DC-9s flying direct to Mexico City four days a week via Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

However, the merger of Texas International and Continental Airlines in the early 1980s resulted in the loss of jet service at Abilene Regional Airport once again. It wasn't until 1984 that jet service returned with the original Frontier Airlines operating Boeing 737-200s direct to Denver via Midland/Odessa. Unfortunately, this service was short-lived, as Frontier Airlines discontinued flights to Abilene by the spring of 1985.

Reliable jet service returned to Abilene Regional Airport with the introduction of American Eagles' Embraer ERJ-140 and Embraer ERJ-145s. American Eagle, the regional branch of American Airlines, resumed its presence in Abilene, providing daily regional jet flights to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Facilities and aircraft at the airport

Abilene Regional Airport is located 3 miles southeast of downtown Abilene, Texas, within the city limits. The airport covers 1,644 acres and has two asphalt runways: 17L/35R 7,198 ft × 150 ft, and 17R/35L 7,202 ft × 150 ft. The terminal has an upper level and a lower level. The upper level houses airline ticket counters, a restaurant, a gift shop, airport offices, and two departure gates, each with jetway boarding bridges. The lower level has two baggage carousels and car rental agencies.

The airport has seen various improvements over the years, including the reconstruction of airline ramps near the terminal and a new, expanded public parking lot with 731 covered spaces and escalator access to the upper level. A new 130-foot control tower was constructed in 2010 and completed in 2012, replacing the old 65-foot tower built in 1959.

In the year ending May 31, 2023, the airport had 41,459 aircraft operations, with an average of 114 per day. The majority of operations are general aviation (54%) and military (29%), with air taxi accounting for 14% and scheduled commercial flights at 3%. As of 2023, 105 aircraft were based at the airport, including 79 single-engine planes, 17 multi-engine planes, 8 jets, and 1 helicopter.

The airport offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) through Envoy Air, operating as American Eagle. Charter airlines, such as Sun Country Airlines, also operate occasional flights to destinations like Las Vegas. Abilene Regional Airport is accessible from anywhere in the world and offers 5 daily nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, making it a convenient gateway to the Abilene region.

Hotels near the airport

Abilene does have an airport—Abilene Regional Airport, to be precise. It is located 3 miles southeast of downtown Abilene, in Taylor County, Texas.

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites

This Abilene motel is conveniently located just 1 mile from Taylor County Expo Center and 3.1 miles from the airport. It has an outdoor swimming pool and airport shuttle service. Guests have praised the very clean bed sheets and towels.

Centrally Located Abilene Abode 2 Mi to Downtown!

Located 3.4 miles from the airport, this 2-bedroom vacation home features a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a fully equipped kitchen. Free Wifi is also available.

Abilene Home with BBQ and Pvt Yard, 1 Mi to ACU!

This vacation home is 4.2 miles from the airport and offers both parking on-site and free Wifi.

Courtyard by Marriott Abilene Northeast

2 miles from the airport, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs and cable channels. Guests have praised the tasty breakfast and clean rooms.

WoodSpring Suites Abilene

Also 4.2 miles from the airport, this hotel offers free WiFi throughout the property. Guests have praised the helpful staff.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Abilene Northeast

Located 4.3 miles from the airport, this hotel offers free bikes, a fitness centre, a shared lounge, and a terrace. Guests have praised the friendly staff and convenient location.

The Inn and Suites at 34 Fifty Abilene

This hotel is a 15-minute drive from the airport and offers an outdoor pool and a flat-screen cable TV in every room.

Super 8 by Wyndham Abilene South

This hotel is 4.1 miles from the airport and 10 minutes south of Central Abilene. It offers rooms with a microwave and refrigerator. Guests have praised the friendly staff.

Residence Inn by Marriott Abilene

This hotel is 4 miles from the airport and has been praised for its quiet and comfortable rooms, efficient AC, and convenient location.

Days Inn by Wyndham Abilene

3 miles from the airport, this hotel offers free WiFi and a private bathroom in every room.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Abilene Mall

This pet-friendly hotel is 3.5 miles from the airport and offers an outdoor swimming pool and cable TV in every room. The Abilene Zoo and Discovery Center is a 15-minute drive away.

Hampton Inn & Suites Abilene I-20

This hotel has been praised for its superb customer service, excellent room service, and central location. It is also a good option for those travelling with dogs.

MCM Elegante Suites - Abilene

This family-friendly hotel is known for its excellent customer service and spacious suites. It is located within walking distance of several restaurants and the Mall of Abilene.

Frequently asked questions