Fort Smith's Airport: Does It Exist?

Fort Smith Regional Airport (IATA: FSM, ICAO: KFSM, FAA LID: FSM) is a public airport located 6km southeast of Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. The airport is served by American Eagle, the regional airline affiliate of American Airlines. Fort Smith Regional Airport is the region's newest and most convenient passenger terminal, with two runways and a large population of corporate and general aviation aircraft.

Fort Smith Regional Airport's location and contact information

Fort Smith Regional Airport is located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The airport is situated near the Interstate 540 freeway, about three nautical miles (6 km) southeast of Fort Smith's central business district. The address for the airport administration is 6700 McKennon Boulevard Fort Smith, AR 72903.

Fort Smith Regional Airport is a public-use airport serving the transportation needs of residents and businesses in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The airport is governed by the Fort Smith Airport Commission, established by the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is also known by the identifiers FSM (IATA, FAA LID), and KFSM (ICAO).

The airport covers an area of 1,359 acres (550 ha) and sits at an elevation of 469 feet (143 m) above mean sea level. It features two runways with asphalt surfaces. The primary runway, 8/26, measures 9,318 by 150 feet (2,840 x 46 m) and can accommodate the largest aircraft with its dual instrument landing systems. The crosswind runway, 2/20, is 5,001 by 150 feet (1,524 x 46 m) in size.

Fort Smith Regional Airport is the region's newest and most convenient passenger terminal. It is home to a diverse range of aircraft, including corporate and general aviation, as well as military operators. The airport offers convenient travel options, efficient security checks, and easy access to flight schedules and status updates on its website.

Airlines and destinations

Fort Smith Regional Airport is located near the Interstate 540 freeway, three nautical miles southeast of the central business district of Fort Smith, in Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The airport's three-letter identifying code is FSM.

The airport is served by American Eagle, the regional airline affiliate of American Airlines. Nonstop flights are available to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

In the past, Fort Smith has been served by several other airlines, including Braniff International Airways, Mid-Continent Airlines, Central Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Scheduled Skyways, Metroflight Airlines, Republic Airlines, Delta Connection, and Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

• American Airlines flight from Fort Smith Regional to Harry Reid International, priced at $208 for a round trip.
• American Airlines flight, departing Wed, Oct 2, from Fort Smith Regional to Los Angeles International, returning Tue, Oct 8, priced at $288 for a round trip.
• American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Oct 3, from Fort Smith Regional to Los Angeles International, returning Tue, Oct 8, priced at $311 for a round trip.
• American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jul 18, from Fort Smith Regional to Los Angeles International, returning Mon, Jun 3, priced at $328 for a round trip.

Ticket counter and check-in times

Fort Smith Regional Airport is located near the Interstate 540 freeway, three nautical miles southeast of Fort Smith's central business district, in Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The airport's three-letter identifying code is FSM, and it is served by American Eagle, the regional airline affiliate of American Airlines.

When it comes to ticket counter and check-in times, the Fort Smith Regional Airport recommends that passengers arrive 1 hour and 45 minutes before their flight time. The ticket counter hours for the Main Terminal are daily from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is important to note that the Main Terminal does not accept cash or checks. Additionally, the American ticket counter will close 45 minutes prior to your departure time.

To check a bag, passengers must arrive at the ticket counter at least one hour before their flight. The TSA security checkpoint closes 5 minutes after each scheduled departure time. Therefore, it is crucial for passengers to arrive at the airport early and allow sufficient time for check-in and security clearance.

Fort Smith Air Museum

Fort Smith does have an airport, the Fort Smith Regional Airport, which is located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The airport is a public-use facility situated near the Interstate 540 freeway, approximately 6 km southeast of Fort Smith's central business district. The airport serves the transportation needs of residents and businesses in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.

The Fort Smith Air Museum is located within the terminal of the Fort Smith Regional Airport. The museum showcases the history of aviation in the region, honouring pioneer and military aviators from western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. It features an impressive collection of aviation artefacts, including a J-3 Cub aircraft hanging in the main entrance.

The Fort Smith Air Museum relocated to the new Fort Smith Regional Airport Terminal in September 2002. The museum boasts sixty-four display cases, showcasing a range of aviation artefacts. The display cases are positioned across from the American Eagle and Delta ticket counters, near the main entrance, and by the Baggage Claim area. The museum is open daily from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm, and admission is free.

The Fort Smith Air Museum is a valuable resource for those interested in aviation history, particularly in the Arkansas and Oklahoma regions. The museum's collection provides insight into the contributions and sacrifices made by pioneer and military aviators, celebrating their achievements and preserving their legacy for future generations.

The museum's location within the airport terminal makes it an accessible destination for travellers passing through the Fort Smith Regional Airport. Its proximity to the ticket counters and baggage claim area allows visitors to conveniently explore the rich aviation history of the region while awaiting their flights or during layovers.

Fort Smith Regional Airport's history

Fort Smith Regional Airport (IATA: FSM, ICAO: KFSM, FAA LID: FSM) is a public-use airport located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The airport is situated near the Interstate 540 freeway, approximately three nautical miles southeast of Fort Smith's central business district. The history of the airport can be traced back to the 1930s when the idea of a municipal airport was conceived. Here is a detailed history of the Fort Smith Regional Airport:

The Early Years:

• 1936: The concept of a municipal airport was established, marking the beginning of the Fort Smith Municipal Airport. An Airport Advisory Committee was formed, and the Fort Smith Board of Directors purchased 320 acres of land with bond money.
• 1939: Two sod runways were constructed, each measuring 3,500 feet in length and 100 feet wide.
• 1941: The airport's first hangar was built.
• 1945: The runways were relocated and rebuilt using asphalt.
• 1947: Additional land was acquired, and the two runways were expanded. The north-south runway was extended to 4,115 feet in length and 150 feet in width, while the east-west runway was expanded to 4,600 feet in length and 150 feet in width.
• 1948: The Airport Advisory Committee was dissolved, and the manager system was adopted. The Public Works Commission of the City of Fort Smith assumed authority over the airport.
• 1950: The east-west runway underwent further extension, reaching 5,000 feet in length.
• 1951: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moved into the Air Traffic Control Tower, enabling positive control of aircraft operating in and out of the Fort Smith area.

Commercial Service and Expansion:

• 1952: Braniff Airways initiated daily service, marking the beginning of major commercial air services at the airport.
• 1954: The 188th Tactical Fighter Group of the Arkansas Air National Guard established its presence at the airport.
• 1958: The east-west runway was extended to its current length of 8,000 feet, with a width of 150 feet.
• 1959: A new passenger terminal building was constructed to accommodate growing air travel demands.
• 1960-1977: During this period, the airport focused on developing taxiways and general aviation ramps to enhance ground operations.
• 1976: The north-south runway was resurfaced with asphalt to maintain its functionality.
• 1977: The Fort Smith Board of Directors established the Airport Commission to set policies and provide guidance to the full-time Airport Manager.
• 1978-1991: The airport continued to expand its operations, purchasing additional land to ensure airspace safety. The total acreage of the airport grew to approximately 1,400 acres.
• 1979: The east-west runway was resurfaced with asphalt to maintain its durability.
• 1986: The north-south runway was extended to its current dimensions of 5,002 feet in length and 150 feet in width.
• 1988-2002: The airport underwent significant infrastructure rehabilitation, reconstructing and improving the majority of its taxiways and general aviation ramps.
• 1990: High-Intensity Runway Lights were installed, enhancing the flexibility and safety of aircraft night operations.
• 1992: The airport's name was changed to "Fort Smith Regional Airport" to better reflect its service area, which included eight counties in two states and approximately 220,000 regional citizens.
• 1996-1997: Both runways underwent improvements, with the primary runway (7/25) undergoing major rehabilitation and the second runway (1/19) being resurfaced with asphalt.
• 1999: A new, modern air traffic control tower replaced the original 1951 facility, enhancing air traffic management capabilities.
• 2001: An airfield perimeter road was constructed to enhance safety by separating vehicle and aircraft operations.
• 2002: The new terminal complex, costing approximately $12.8 million, was completed and opened. This complex included the passenger terminal, parking lots, and a new access road, McKennon Boulevard. The terminal incorporated Fort Smith's traditional architectural style while adhering to modern airport design principles.
• 2005: New passenger jet bridges were inaugurated, offering protection to passengers from inclement weather during boarding and deplaning.

Frequently asked questions