New Hampshire's Airport: What You Need To Know

New Hampshire has several airports that serve the region, including Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Portsmouth International Airport (PSM), and Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB). Manchester-Boston is the primary hub for departures and arrivals in New Hampshire, while Portsmouth International, located on the seacoast, is a convenient and low-cost alternative. Lebanon Municipal Airport, located on the Vermont border, offers commercial service to the western part of the state. Mount Washington Regional Airport (KHIE) is another option, providing general aviation services in the White Mountains for over 50 years. These airports offer a range of services, including commercial, private, and charter flights, with varying runway lengths and facilities.

New Hampshire's primary airport hub

New Hampshire has several airports that serve the region, but the primary airport hub is the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester. Located less than 50 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, it is a convenient alternative for those travelling to the greater Boston area. The airport is also within an hour's drive of the region's most popular ski areas, scenic seacoast beaches, and lakefront resorts. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is widely considered a small hub, having been nominated for Best Small Airport by Newsweek.

The airport offers year-round commercial, private, and charter flights, with multiple runways of varying lengths. It provides a range of services, including 24-hour fuelling, overnight hangar rentals, tie-downs, and terminal buildings with lounge areas. MHT also has exclusive sales and promotions, such as free parking for longer stays.

Other notable airports in New Hampshire include Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) in Portsmouth, which is a convenient and low-cost alternative, although it only services Allegiant flights. Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) in Lebanon, on the Vermont border, offers commercial flights to the western part of the state. For those seeking a more scenic route, the Mount Washington Regional Airport (KHIE) provides general aviation services in the White Mountains and is heavily used by charter companies.

Overall, New Hampshire has a variety of airport options, but Manchester-Boston Regional Airport stands out as the primary hub, offering a range of services and convenient connections to nearby regions.

Regional airports in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has several regional airports serving different parts of the state. These airports accommodate various aircraft, including commercial, private, and charter flights, with runways ranging from 2,982 to 6,200 feet in length.

The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester is the primary hub for departures and arrivals in New Hampshire. It is conveniently located less than 50 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, and offers quick access to popular ski areas, scenic beaches, and lakefront resorts in the region. The airport caters to both private and charter flights and has a 5,280-foot runway.

On the Seacoast of New Hampshire, you'll find the Portsmouth International Airport (PSM), just 50 minutes north of Boston's Logan Airport. This airport offers scheduled services to destinations like Orlando, Punta Gorda, Myrtle Beach, and Savannah. While it primarily services Allegiant flights, it provides a convenient and low-cost alternative to larger airports.

The Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) in Lebanon, on the Vermont border, provides commercial services to the western region of New Hampshire. Additionally, the Mount Washington Regional Airport (KHIE) in the White Mountains has been serving general aviation for over 50 years. This airport, located 60 miles east of Montpelier, Vermont, and 25 miles southwest of Berlin, New Hampshire, is heavily used by charter companies and offers various services, including a 24-hour fuel system and overnight hangar rentals.

Other regional airports in New Hampshire include the one located on Airport Road in Laconia, which caters to private and charter aircraft, and the Jaffrey Airport-Silver Ranch (AFN) in Newport, a small facility accommodating charter and private flights with a 3,450-foot asphalt runway.

Portsmouth International Airport

New Hampshire is served by several airports, including Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), which is the primary hub for departures and arrivals in the state. However, Portsmouth International Airport, also known as Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (IATA: PSM, ICAO: KPSM, FAA LID: PSM), is a notable alternative. The airport is located in Portsmouth, a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, just off I-95, the country's major north-south corridor. This convenient location provides excellent highway access to nearby cities like Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

The airport has a rich history, having once been the Pease Air Force Base before its redevelopment in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Even today, it shares its runway with the Pease Air National Guard Base, actively used by the New Hampshire Air National Guard's KC-135 aerial refueling squadron. Portsmouth International Airport has seen several airlines operate through the years, including Pan American Airways, Business Express Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, and Skybus Airlines. As of 2024, Allegiant Air continues to offer nonstop jet service to various destinations using Airbus aircraft.

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

New Hampshire has several airports, including regional airports and an international airport. The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) is one of the primary hubs for departures and arrivals in New Hampshire. It is located less than 50 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, and is easily accessible from the region's most popular ski areas, scenic seacoast beaches, and lakefront resorts. The airport covers an area of 1,500 acres and has two asphalt runways, with the longer one measuring 9,250 feet and the shorter one measuring 7,651 feet.

The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is the premiere air carrier facility in New Hampshire, offering a wide range of air carriers, including low-cost carriers. It is served by five airlines, including both mainline and low-fare carriers, providing service to national and international destinations. The airport has been one of the fastest-growing airports in New England and the nation, with a peak of 4.33 million passengers in 2005. However, passenger numbers have declined since then, with 1.85 million passengers in 2018, and a further sharp drop during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airport has undergone a $500 million renovation, which included lengthening the runways, expanding the terminal, building parking garages and surface lots, improving major roadways, and constructing a new air traffic control tower. The airport contributes significantly to the local, regional, and state economy, with an estimated contribution of over $715 million.

The facility was previously known as Manchester Airport until April 2006, when "Boston Regional" was added to highlight its proximity to Boston. It is widely considered a convenient alternative airport serving the greater Boston area. The airport has a reputation for resilience in the face of bad weather and has only closed once following the September 11 terrorist attacks when the national airspace was shut down.

Lebanon Municipal Airport

The airport serves as a base for small and large planes, with convenient hangar storage available. Granite Air Center and Sharkey's Helicopters are located on the north ramp, and Bright Side Brewing is also on-site. Lebanon Municipal Airport provides a comprehensive range of services for aircraft and amenities for passengers and pilots. This includes fuel and maintenance services, and rental car services are available.

Commercial flights are offered through Cape Air, with daily flights between Lebanon and Boston, and Lebanon and White Plains, New York. The White Plains service includes ground transportation to Manhattan at no extra charge. Cape Air also offers a TravelPass for frequent travellers, providing a discount for customers who regularly fly the same route.

The airport's location designator is KLEB, and the National Weather Service collects the data for the airport's weather conditions. Lebanon Municipal Airport is situated in the Upper Valley region, between Vermont and New Hampshire, along the Connecticut River.

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