
The Midland International Air and Space Port in Midland, Texas, is located about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa. The airport covers 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet and has four runways. It is the first primary commercial service airport in the United States to be certified as a spaceport. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Midland and is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
What You'll Learn
- The airport covers 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet
- It is located about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa
- The airport has four runways and four airlines
- It is the first primary commercial service airport to be certified as a spaceport
- The airport is 11 miles from the centre of Midland, TX
The airport covers 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet
The Midland International Air and Space Port in Midland, Texas, covers 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet. This airport, also known as MAF, is located about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa and is owned and operated by the City of Midland.
The Midland Airport has a long history, starting as Sloan Field, a small airport founded in 1927 by Samuel Addison Sloan. Sloan leased 220 acres of flat grassland from a rancher, Clarence Scharbauer. Sadly, Sam Sloan died in a plane crash in 1929, after which his brother, William Harvey Sloan, took over operations. The City of Midland annexed much of the land housing the airport in 1946, and a piece that became a part of a runway was annexed in 1964. The Midland-Odessa Regional Airport opened its new passenger terminal in the early 1960s, and the terminal building was replaced in the late 1990s.
Today, the Midland International Air and Space Port boasts four asphalt runways, with the largest being 9500' x 150' and capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft takeoffs and landings. The airport supports four airlines, three of which serve hubs with regional jets, while one operates mainline jets. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at the airport. The airport is also home to various amenities, including restaurants, retail stores, and free Wi-Fi, making it a convenient and comfortable choice for travellers.
The Midland International Air and Space Port is also notable for being the first primary commercial service airport in the United States to be certified as a spaceport. This unique distinction reflects its dual role in aviation and space exploration. The airport serves as a critical hub for aerospace development, with companies like XCOR Aerospace utilising its facilities for testing and headquarters.
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It is located about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa
The Midland International Air and Space Port is located in Midland County, Texas, about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Midland. Covering 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet, it is the first primary commercial service airport to be certified as a spaceport by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The distance between Midland and Odessa is approximately 20 to 22 miles, depending on the source. While some might consider this a short drive or a quick trip, others view it as a notable distance. This discrepancy in perception may be due to the layout of the cities or the local mindset. Nevertheless, the Midland International Air and Space Port serves as a convenient midpoint for individuals travelling between the two downtown areas.
The airport's history dates back to 1927 when it began as Sloan Field, a small airport founded by Samuel Addison Sloan. Tragically, Sloan passed away in a plane crash in 1929, after which his brother, William Harvey Sloan, took over the operation. Over the years, the airport has undergone various renovations and expansions, including the construction of a new terminal in the 1990s.
Today, the Midland International Air and Space Port is a bustling aviation hub with four airlines serving the region. It offers a range of daily flight departures to destinations such as Dallas Fort Worth, Houston Intercontinental, and Las Vegas. The airport is also home to a variety of facilities, including rental car services, maintenance operators, and spacious terminals with no flight or noise restrictions.
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The airport has four runways and four airlines
The Midland International Air and Space Port in Texas is a fairly busy airport. Covering 1,600 acres of land, the airport sits at an elevation of 2,871 feet and has four asphalt runways. During the 12-month period ending July 31, 2021, the airport recorded 58,010 aircraft operations, averaging 159 per day.
The airport's four runways are all asphalt, with the largest being 9,500 feet by 150 feet, capable of handling wide-body aircraft takeoffs and landings. The runways are also equipped with modern taxiways, lighting, and infrastructure, including a progressive management approach to maintenance and upgrades.
The Midland airport has a rich history, starting as a small airport called Sloan Field in 1927 by Samuel Addison Sloan. Unfortunately, Sloan died in a plane crash in 1929, after which his brother, William Harvey Sloan, took over the operation. The airport has gone through various developments and upgrades over the years, including being used as a training base during World War II and becoming a spaceport in 2014, licensed to serve commercial spaceflight.
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It is the first primary commercial service airport to be certified as a spaceport
The Midland International Air and Space Port in Texas is the first primary commercial service airport to be certified as a spaceport. The airport, located in Midland County, covers 1,600 acres (650 hectares) at an elevation of 2,871 feet (875 meters). It has four asphalt runways and four airlines, with Southwest Airlines being the largest carrier.
In September 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally approved the airport's application, making it the first of its kind to be certified as a spaceport. The original primary purpose of the launch site was to allow XCOR Aerospace to test its reusable winged commercial space vehicle, the XCOR Lynx. The company planned to relocate its headquarters and offer commercial space flights from Midland International Airport.
The Midland Spaceport is co-located with the commercial airport, providing ideal access for companies manufacturing and testing new technologies, such as satellites and reusable vehicles. The spaceport is an FAA-approved Commercial Space Launch Site, and the Midland Development Corporation is working to attract additional aerospace companies to the facility.
The Midland International Air and Space Port has a long history, dating back to 1927 when it was known as Sloan Field, a small airport started by Samuel Addison Sloan. The airport has seen various developments over the years, including terminal upgrades and the establishment of the Confederate Air Force (now the Commemorative Air Force) in 1991. Today, the airport serves a significant number of flights and passengers, with modern and spacious terminals accommodating a wide range of aircraft operations.
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The airport is 11 miles from the centre of Midland, TX
The Midland International Air and Space Port (formerly Midland International Airport) is located in Midland, Texas, about 11 miles from the city centre. The airport covers 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 2,871 feet and has four runways. It is owned and operated by the City of Midland and is located midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa.
Midland International Airport is an important hub for both air transportation and aerospace development, serving the Permian Basin region. The airport supports four airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which is the largest carrier at the airport. In 2012, the airport handled 497,193 passengers. The airport offers direct flights to key destinations such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, and Denver, providing travellers with access to a range of national and international destinations.
The airport has a variety of amenities to enhance the passenger experience, including ample parking, car rental services, and cab and ride-sharing services. There are also restaurants, retail stores, and free Wi-Fi to cater to the needs of both business and leisure travellers. The terminal building was constructed in the late 1990s, replacing the previous terminal from 1966, which had become outdated.
Midland International Airport is also known for its unique designation as a spaceport. In 2014, it became the first primary commercial service airport to be certified as a spaceport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This certification has made the airport an attractive location for aerospace companies, with its dual role in aviation and space exploration. The airport's proximity to the city centre further adds to its strategic importance for the region's economic growth and local tourism.
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Frequently asked questions
The Midland International Air and Space Port covers 1,600 acres of land and has an elevation of 2,871 feet.
The Midland International Air and Space Port has four asphalt runways.
The airport is located about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa and is 11 miles from the center of Midland, TX.
The airport's IATA code is MAF, and its ICAO code is KMAF.