Portsmouth, Nh: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, formerly known as Pease International Airport, is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. The airport is situated one nautical mile (2 km) west of Portsmouth's central business district and is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 95. Portsmouth International Airport serves the New Hampshire seacoast region and offers a range of facilities for different levels of airline service, from regional to international flights. The airport has a long runway, cargo facilities, and Federal Inspection Services, making it a convenient option for corporate jet operators and travellers alike.

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease

The airport has undergone several improvements over the years. In May 2019, the Pease Development Authority approved a $24 million runway reconstruction project, which was completed in September 2020. This was followed by a $19.5 million passenger terminal expansion project that concluded in December 2021.

Runway and facilities

Portsmouth International Airport, formerly known as Pease International Airport, is located one nautical mile (2 km) west of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The airport covers an area of 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) at an elevation of 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. It has a long runway and Federal Inspection Facilities, making it a convenient entry or exit point for corporate jet operators flying to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

The runway at Portsmouth International Airport is designated 16/34 and is made of concrete and asphalt. It measures 11,322 by 150 feet (3,451 x 46 m). In 2019, the Pease Development Authority approved a $24 million runway reconstruction project, which was successfully completed in September 2020.

Portsmouth International Airport shares its runway with the Pease Air National Guard Base, which is actively used by the 157th Air Refueling Wing (157 ARW) of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. The airport is also home to the New Hampshire Air National Guard's KC-135 aerial refueling squadron.

In addition to its long runway, Portsmouth International Airport offers cargo facilities and two full-service FBOs. The airport can accommodate various levels of airline service, from regional and commuter airlines to international charters and scheduled operators.

The airport had a significant number of aircraft operations, with an average of 269 per day during the 12-month period ending September 30, 2019. At that time, there were 132 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and military aircraft.

Airport history

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, formerly known as Pease International Airport, is located one nautical mile (2 km) west of the central business district of Portsmouth, a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The airport is owned by the Pease Development Authority, which also operates the Pease International Tradeport, of which the airport forms a part. The Tradeport is the result of the redevelopment of the former Pease Air Force Base, which was closed under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission action in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The history of the airport can be traced back to the 1930s, when it was first built. During World War II, the airport was closed to civilian traffic in 1942 under defence measures and was released to the US Navy, which had a presence at the nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In 1944, the US Navy took control of the airport, and in 1951, it was selected as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) Base by the US Air Force. From 1952 to 1956, the US Air Force purchased additional land and expanded the base, renaming it Portsmouth Air Force Base. In 1957, it was renamed Pease Air Force Base in honour of NH native Captain Harl Pease, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War II.

In 1961-62, the base was considered as a potential site for Minuteman missile deployments. In 1966, the New Hampshire National Guard relocated to the base from Manchester. From 1956 until its closure in 1991, Pease Air Force Base maintained a combat-ready force for long-range bombardment and nuclear strikes. In 1988, the base was one of 86 military installations to be closed as part of the Secretary of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure process.

Following its closure, the remaining part of the former Pease Air Force Base was transferred to the New Hampshire Air National Guard and was renamed the Pease Air National Guard Base. Today, the airport shares its runway with this base, which is actively utilised by the 157th Air Refueling Wing (157 ARW) of the New Hampshire Air National Guard.

The airport has facilities to accommodate all levels of airline service, from regional/commuter airlines to international charters and scheduled operators. It covers an area of 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) at an elevation of 100 feet (30 m) above mean sea level. It has one concrete and asphalt-paved runway designated 16/34, which measures 11,322 by 150 feet (3,451 x 46 m). For the 12-month period ending September 30, 2019, the airport had 98,282 aircraft operations, an average of 269 per day.

Incidents

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, formerly known as Pease International Airport, has been the site of several notable incidents over the years. The airport is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and serves the seacoast region of the state. With a long runway and Federal Inspection Facilities, it is well-equipped to handle a variety of aircraft, including corporate jets flying to and from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

On April 10, 1993, a Cessna 172 en route from Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) in New York to Beverly Regional Airport (BVY) in Massachusetts encountered low visibility conditions and was forced to divert to Portsmouth International Airport (PSM). Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed in nearby Durham, New Hampshire, after multiple unsuccessful landing attempts and running out of fuel. The pilot suffered serious injuries in the crash.

In another incident on October 9, 2004, a different Cessna 172M travelling from Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) in Maine to Skyhaven Airport (DAW) in Rochester, New Hampshire, experienced a similar issue. Due to a lack of fuel, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in a cornfield near Eliot, Maine. Fortunately, neither the pilot nor the passenger on board were injured in this incident.

Beyond these incidents, the airport has a notable history. It was once a part of the Pease Air Force Base and is now owned by the Pease Development Authority. The airport covers 3,000 acres of land, featuring a concrete and asphalt runway measuring 11,322 by 150 feet. In 2019, the airport recorded 98,282 aircraft operations, averaging 269 per day, with a mix of general aviation, military, air taxi, and scheduled commercial flights.

The airport has also undergone significant development in recent years. In 2019, the Pease Development Authority approved a $24 million runway reconstruction project, which was completed in 2020. This was followed by a $19.5 million passenger terminal expansion project that concluded in December 2021. These improvements enhance the airport's capabilities and contribute to its role as a gateway to the region.

Transport to and from the airport

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (IATA: PSM, ICAO: KPSM, FAA LID: PSM) is located just one nautical mile (2 km) west of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The airport is accessible by various means of transportation.

By Car

Portsmouth International Airport is located just off I-95, the country's major north-south corridor, providing easy access to and from nearby cities such as Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

By Bus

The city of Portsmouth is served by local bus services, including COAST (Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation) and the UNH Wildcat Transit. These buses provide connections to neighbouring communities served by Amtrak, such as Dover and Exeter, NH. Additionally, intercity bus services such as Greyhound, Vermont Transit, and C & J Trailways also operate in the area, connecting Portsmouth with other regions.

By Plane

Portsmouth International Airport caters to a range of airline services, from regional and commuter flights to international charters and scheduled operators. The airport has a long runway and Federal Inspection Facilities, making it suitable for corporate jet operators flying to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Several airlines offer nonstop and direct flights to various domestic and international destinations. For example, Allegiant Air provides nonstop jet service to several destinations using Airbus aircraft.

By Train

Although there is no direct train service to the airport, Portsmouth is connected to the Amtrak network through nearby stations in Dover and Exeter, NH. These stations can be accessed via local bus services or other transportation options.

Frequently asked questions