Boone, Nc: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Boone, North Carolina, does have an airport, known as Boone Inc Airport. However, it is a private airport, and permission is required prior to landing. The closest major airport to Boone is Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI/KTRI), which is 44-45 miles away. Other nearby airports include Asheville Regional Airport (72-72.9 miles away), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (80.5-99 miles away), and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (97.1-146 miles away).

Tri-Cities Regional Airport

The Tri-Cities Regional Airport (IATA: TRI, ICAO: KTRI, FAA LID: TRI) is the closest major airport to Boone, North Carolina, located 45 to 69 miles away in Blountville, Tennessee. The airport serves the Tri-Cities area, including Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It is a primary commercial service airport, offering nonstop flights to five hubs: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater.

The history of the Tri-Cities Regional Airport dates back to the mid-1930s when Johnson City's airfield and Kingsport's airstrip were deemed unfit for expansion. As a result, Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport joined forces with Sullivan County to construct the airport on 323 acres of land in Sullivan County, situated between the three cities. In September 1937, the airport became operational with two small runways, a terminal building, and an aircraft hangar. It witnessed its first airliner, an American Airlines DC-2, and was dedicated as McKellar Field by Senator Kenneth McKellar on November 5, 1937.

Over the years, various airlines have served the airport, including American Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Capital Airlines, United Airlines, and Allegheny Airlines. The first jets arrived in 1967, with Piedmont Boeing 727-100s and Southern Douglas DC-9-10s. By 1977, a Piedmont Boeing 737-200 was operating a nonstop flight to New York's LaGuardia Airport. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities, including the addition of restaurants and lounges, as well as investing in projects to enhance taxiway and runway infrastructure.

The Tri-Cities Regional Airport covers 1,250 acres of land and sits at an elevation of 1,519 feet. It features two asphalt runways: 5/23, which is 8,000 feet by 150 feet, and 9/27, measuring 4,442 feet by 150 feet. In the year ending March 31, 2023, the airport recorded 49,790 aircraft operations, averaging 136 per day. The airport caters to a range of aviation sectors, with general aviation accounting for 72%, air taxi at 13%, airline services at 9%, and military operations at 5%. Additionally, there were 53 aircraft based at the airport as of March 2023, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter variants.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Boone, North Carolina, does not have its own major airport. The nearest airport to Boone is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI), which is 45 to 69 miles away.

However, there is a small airport in Boone, called the Boone Inc Airport, which is for private use only.

Now, let's focus on Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is 80.5 to 99 miles from Boone and is a major airport in the region.

Overview

Operations and Facilities

Charlotte Douglas is a busy airport, ranking 11th in the US for passenger traffic in 2019, with over 50 million passengers. It is a fortress hub for American Airlines, which operates most of the airport's flights. The airport features three operating runways, one non-operating runway, and a single passenger terminal with 124 gates across five concourses.

History and Developments

In 2015, the airport launched the "CLT 2015" plan, a $1.5 billion construction initiative, which included a new airport entrance roadway, hourly parking decks, a centralised rental car facility, and an expanded terminal lobby.

Amenities and Attractions

The airport offers a range of services and amenities, including currency exchange and ATMs. It is also one of the few airports in the US with a public viewing area, where visitors can watch planes take off and land. The airport is also home to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, featuring a collection of over 50 aircraft and an extensive aviation library.

Asheville Regional Airport

While Boone, North Carolina does not have its own airport, there are several airports nearby. The closest airport to Boone is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI), which is 45 miles away. Other nearby airports include Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), which is 72.9 miles away.

In 2003, the airport underwent another renovation, where the second-level boarding area was removed, and the ground-level boarding areas were expanded and renovated. Further improvements were made in 2009, including the addition of a Guest Services centre, an extra baggage carousel, rental car desks, offices, and security enhancements.

In terms of airline service, Asheville Regional Airport has a long history dating back to 1948. Over the years, various airlines have served the airport, including Capital Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Piedmont Airlines. The airport has also welcomed notable visitors, such as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who landed in Asheville aboard a Boeing C-32 in 2010.

As of 2023, the airport is undergoing a multi-phase renovation and expansion of the terminal building. The new terminal will be significantly larger, offering 12 gates instead of the current seven, and providing additional room for expansion. The project includes the construction of a new 127-foot (39-meter) air traffic control tower, with a scheduled completion date of 2025. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $400 million.

Foothills Regional Airport

The airport is owned by the Foothills Regional Airport Authority and covers 1,170 acres of land. It features a single grooved asphalt paved runway, designated 3/21, with dimensions of 5,500 feet by 75 feet. The runway is equipped with lighting and offers three IFR approaches: LOC RWY 3, RNAV (GPS) RWY 3, and RNAV (GPS) RWY 21.

In the 12-month period ending August 31, 2005, the airport recorded 17,000 aircraft operations, with an average of 46 operations per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (97%), with a small percentage being military flights (3%). During this period, 74 aircraft were based at the airport.

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport

While Boone, North Carolina does not have its own airport, there are several airports in the region that are easily accessible from the city. The closest airport to Boone is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI), which is approximately 45 to 69 miles away. This airport is located in Blountville, Tennessee, and offers a convenient option for those travelling to or from Boone.

Another option in the region is the Concord–Padgett Regional Airport, a city-owned, public-use airport situated near Concord, North Carolina. This airport is around 80.5 miles from Boone and serves as a reliever for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. With a runway measuring 7,402 by 100 feet, the airport accommodates mid-size commercial aircraft and is a popular choice for local NASCAR teams due to its proximity to their headquarters.

The airport offers commercial passenger service through Allegiant Air, providing nonstop flights to various destinations in Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Punta Gorda. Allegiant operates Airbus A320 jetliners and has made Concord one of its operating bases.

In addition to Concord–Padgett and Tri-Cities Regional, there are several other airports within a reasonable distance from Boone. These include Asheville Regional Airport (99 miles away), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (99 miles away), and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (146 miles away). These airports provide additional options for travellers heading to or from the Boone area.

Frequently asked questions