Laughlin, Nevada: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Laughlin, Nevada is served by Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP), a public-use airport located just across the Colorado River in Bullhead City, Arizona. The airport is a short distance from Laughlin and is considered a gateway to the region, offering seamless travel for tourists and business travellers alike. With a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century, Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport has transformed from a simple runway to a bustling aviation hub, providing convenient access to destinations worldwide.

Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport's location

Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport, also known as IFP, is located in Bullhead City, Arizona, just across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada. The airport is situated 1.15 miles north of Bullhead City's central business district and is owned by Mohave County.

The airport is conveniently located off the north end of Bullhead Parkway in Bullhead City and is less than a mile from the Laughlin Bridge. All the casinos in Laughlin are easily accessible from the airport, with a distance of 1.5 to 3 miles.

Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport serves as a gateway to the vibrant cities of Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, offering a unique blend of convenience and excitement for travellers. It is more than just a travel hub; it's a gateway to adventure in the stunning area surrounding Mohave County.

The airport has a rich history, established in the mid-20th century, initially as a simple runway. Over the years, it has grown into a bustling aviation hub, providing seamless travel experiences and contributing to the economic growth of the region.

Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport is committed to providing a safe, efficient, and enjoyable travel experience for its passengers. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team, travellers can expect comfort and ease from the beginning to the end of their journeys.

The airport's history

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP) is indeed an airport located near Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona. Strategically situated across the Colorado River, the airport is just a stone's throw away from the vibrant city of Laughlin, with many of the rooms in Laughlin's casino-hotels offering a view of the airport.

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport was established in the mid-20th century. In 1943, the land on which the airport stands was purchased from the state of Arizona for the construction of the Davis Dam power plant. The airport was initially a simple runway, established on Bureau of Land Management property about two miles south of the Davis Dam power plant construction site. The employees of the Davis Dam project graded and used the airport. In 1953, the dam was completed, and residential development began in the surrounding areas.

In 1968, Mohave County leased the Bullhead City Airport from the Bureau of Land Management, and in 1971, the county subleased a portion of the airport to Bullhead Airport Inc., a private enterprise providing fixed-base operation services. In 1972, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) provided a $15,000 grant for an airport improvement project, which included runway relocation, drainage, marking, lighting, and fencing.

In 1979, a new 25-year lease for the entire 135-acre airport was negotiated with the newly formed Mohave County Airport Authority. The following year, ADOT provided additional funding to overlay and extend the aircraft parking apron. In 1983, the Bureau of Land Management transferred airport property to the state of Arizona, and in 1986, the Arizona State Land Department sold the property, including the airport, through a public auction.

In the late 1980s, construction began on a new facility on the east side of the original airport, which opened in the early 1990s. This new facility featured a much longer runway capable of accommodating large jet traffic. With this expansion, the airport's name was changed to Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport, and a new IATA/FAA code of "IFP" was adopted, standing for "International Fun Place".

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the airport was served by several commuter airlines, offering flights to destinations such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Southern California. In the early 1990s, some of these commuter airlines began code-sharing with major airlines. In 1993, airlines such as Air Laughlin, Vanguard Airlines, and Viscount Air Services began operating charter flights from Phoenix.

In 2008, the airport underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion, enhancing its facilities and security system. This expansion enabled the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, as evidenced by the landing of a Boeing 747SP widebody jetliner, the largest aircraft ever to visit the airport.

Today, Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport continues to be a cornerstone of aviation and tourism in the region, offering a blend of convenience and excitement for travellers.

Airlines that use the airport

Laughlin, Nevada, is served by Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP). The airport is located just across the Colorado River in Bullhead City, Arizona, and is about a mile from the central business district of the city.

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport is a public-use airport that serves the Tri-State area of Laughlin, Nevada, Bullhead City, Arizona, and Needles, California.

Daily commercial charters are operated by Sun Country Airlines, which uses Boeing 737s, and Elite Airways, which uses CRJ700s. These flights are operated for the Riverside Resort and Harrah's Laughlin. The airport is also the main base for Air Methods/Tri-State CareFlight, a helicopter and fixed-wing air ambulance company.

In the past, the airport has been served by several commuter airlines, including StatesWest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Sun West Airlines, Air L.A., Golden Pacific Airlines, Scenic Airlines, and Havasu Airlines. Flights were mainly operated to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and throughout Southern California.

In the early 1990s, several of these commuter airlines began code-sharing with major airlines, including America West Express (operated by Mesa Airlines), United Express (also operated by Mesa Airlines), and USAir Express (operated by StatesWest Airlines). These airlines used Beechcraft 1900 commuter propjets, and USAir Express briefly operated de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprops to Los Angeles.

In 1993, Air Laughlin, Vanguard Airlines, and Viscount Air Services began operating Boeing 737 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 charter flights from Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix. Morris Air also operated scheduled nonstop service to Salt Lake City and San Francisco with Boeing 737-300 jets.

Reno Air began service in 1993 with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 flights from San Jose International Airport. America West Express and United Express continued to operate propjet flights from several airports in California and Arizona, including Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Other commuter airlines that served the airport in the 1990s include Arizona Airways, which offered nonstop flights from Tucson International Airport and direct one-stop flights from Albuquerque, Pacific Coast Airlines, which provided service to San Diego, and Eagle Canyon Airlines, which flew to Las Vegas.

In 2002, Sun Country Airlines made Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport a small hub for the southwestern US region. In 2004, Ryan International Airlines returned chartered jet services from the Phoenix area, using McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliners. Western Express Air also operated passenger service to Phoenix Deer Valley Airport in Arizona and Riverside Municipal Airport in California with small commuter turboprop aircraft until the end of May 2007.

From February 2017 to February 2018, American Eagle provided a single daily flight to and from Phoenix using a Bombardier CRJ700 series regional jet. However, this service was terminated after one year due to a lack of profitability.

The airport currently does not have any scheduled passenger service, but regular casino charter flights are provided by Sun Country Airlines and Allegiant Air.

The airport's facilities

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP) is a full-service regional airport located in Bullhead City, Arizona, just a few miles from Laughlin, Nevada. The airport is a short distance across the Colorado River from Laughlin and is a cornerstone of aviation and tourism in the region.

The terminal offers a comfortable and spacious environment, with efficient baggage claim services and a relaxing start to your journey. The airport also provides passenger assistance with a dedicated team to ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the mid-20th century when it was just a simple runway. Today, it is a bustling hub, connecting travellers to destinations worldwide and contributing to the economic growth of the community. The airport covers an area of 650 acres and has a runway measuring 8,500 feet in length. The runway was recently reconstructed, and future plans call for a further 900-foot expansion to accommodate larger airplanes year-round.

The airport is actively trying to attract regular scheduled service and currently offers scheduled charter flights through Harrah's Laughlin and Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. These charter flights often include affordable airfare and hotel room package deals with local hotels in Laughlin.

The airport's future plans

Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport has big plans for the future. As a gateway to the stunning landscapes of Mohave County, Nevada, the airport is keen to establish itself as a tourism destination.

The airport is actively trying to attract regular scheduled services and is currently offering scheduled charter flights through Harrah's Laughlin and Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. These flights are booked as a package deal with the hotels, offering affordable airfare and accommodation.

The airport's director, James Scheller, has outlined several plans for commercial and structural development. Scheller has emphasised the need for more space, citing the growth of the local community and the demand for commercial flights. He has also pointed out the inconvenience faced by residents of southern Nevada and Arizona, who currently have to drive long distances to Las Vegas or Phoenix to catch a flight.

To meet the demand for commercial flights, the airport plans to expand its runway by 900 feet. This will allow larger airplanes to operate year-round and is expected to give a major boost to the community. The airport has also submitted a Small-Community Air-Service Development (SCASD) grant for $800,000, with an announcement expected by the end of August 2023.

In addition to these commercial aspects, Scheller has also expressed interest in improving the customer experience. This includes providing more snack options and installing massage chairs for customers arriving on late flights.

The airport is also committed to educational initiatives, seeing itself as an ideal place for institutions such as the Mohave Community College to create a curriculum with an aviation career path. This could lead to degrees in aviation management or flight school training for aspiring pilots, helping to address the national shortage of air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, and qualified pilots.

With a rich history, convenient location, and dedication to growth, the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport is poised to take off and soar to new heights in the aviation industry.

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