Little Rock Airport: A Calm Or Chaotic Travel Hub?

Little Rock Airport, officially named Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, is a busy airport with a large volume of traveller traffic. It is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas, serving more than 2.1 million passengers between March 2009 and February 2010. The airport offers nonstop service to 14 cities, with more than 50 flights arriving or departing daily. Little Rock Airport is well-maintained and equipped with advanced security features, including TSA PreCheck lanes, to ensure a smooth screening process for passengers. The airport also offers ample parking, dining, and shopping options, making it a convenient choice for travellers.

Little Rock Airport's busiest time is Thanksgiving

Little Rock Airport, officially known as Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas. It is located on the east side of Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. The airport served over 2.1 million passengers between March 2009 and February 2010, with an average of 228 aircraft operations per day as of February 2023.

The airport is busiest during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2024, airport officials expected a 6.7% increase in travellers during the Thanksgiving period, with an extra 49,548 people above typical volumes anticipated between November 22 and December 3. The Monday before Thanksgiving (November 25) and the Sunday after (December 1) were expected to be the busiest days, with over 4,500 travellers forecasted to pass through security each day.

To accommodate the surge in travellers during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint opens daily at 4 am, and airline ticket counters open as early as 3:30 am. The airport recommends that passengers arrive at least 2 hours before their scheduled departure time to allow for check-in and security screening.

Little Rock Airport offers nonstop flights to various destinations, including Florida and California. The airport features a single terminal with twelve gates, six along the length of the terminal and six in a rotunda at the end. The airport provides a range of services and amenities, including food and shopping options, and is served by various airlines, such as American Airlines.

The airport is named after Bill and Hillary Clinton

Little Rock Airport, officially known as the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field, is a joint civil-military airport on the east side of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas, serving more than 2.1 million passengers between March 2009 and February 2010. The airport does not have direct international passenger flights, but it handles more than 50 flights arriving or departing daily, with non-stop service to 14 cities.

The airport is named after former Governor and President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and his wife, Hillary Clinton, who served as the United States Secretary of State. The decision to rename the airport was made on March 20, 2012, by the municipal airport commission, honouring the couple's contributions to the state and the nation. Bill Clinton, an Arkansas native, had a significant political career, serving as Governor of Arkansas before becoming the 42nd President of the United States. Hillary Clinton, a respected politician and advocate, served as First Lady during her husband's presidency and later became a United States Senator from New York and the 67th United States Secretary of State.

The airport's original name, Adams Field, continues to be used when referring to the runways and air traffic and remains the airport's official designator. Adams Field was named after Captain George Geyer Adams of the 154th Observation Squadron, Arkansas National Guard. Captain Adams played a crucial role in the airport's growth and development during his tenure with the Little Rock City Council. Sadly, he was killed in the line of duty on September 4, 1937.

Little Rock's aviation history dates back to 1917 when the city's first airport was operated by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The current airport site was purchased by the citizens of Little Rock in 1930, and commercial air service began in 1931 with American Airways (now American Airlines) as the first airline to serve the airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the addition of a 12-gate terminal in 1972 and plans for further renovations to enhance its facilities and services.

It's the largest commercial airport in Arkansas

The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, also known as Adams Field, is Little Rock's airport and the largest commercial airport in Arkansas. It is a joint civil-military airport on the east side of Little Rock, operated by the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission. In the year ending February 28, 2023, the airport recorded 83,217 aircraft operations, averaging 228 per day. These operations included general aviation (47%), scheduled commercial (26%), air taxi (16%), and military (10%). The airport also accommodates general aviation/private aircraft and has two fixed-base operators (FBOs): Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.

As the largest commercial airport in Arkansas, Clinton National Airport serves nearly 2.2 million passengers annually. During the year spanning March 2009 to February 2010, the airport served over 2.1 million passengers. While the airport does not facilitate direct international passenger flights, it handles more than 50 flights arriving or departing daily, with nonstop service to 14 cities. The single terminal has 12 gates, with six gates along the length of the terminal (three on each side) and a rotunda at the end with an additional six gates.

The airport covers 2,000 acres of land, with an elevation of 266 feet above mean sea level. It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023 and is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility. The Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS) – Little Rock Service Center and Completion Center is the largest Dassault facility in the world, employing nearly 1,600 people and occupying almost 1,250,000 square feet.

The history of the airport dates back to June 19, 1931, when American Airlines first landed at Adams Field, becoming the first airline to serve Little Rock. The airport played a role during World War II, as the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force used the airfield for antisubmarine patrols and training. In 1972, the current 12-gate terminal was opened, and in 2008, a plan was approved to renovate and expand the terminal over 15 years. On March 20, 2012, the airport was officially renamed the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, honouring former Governor and United States President Bill Clinton and his wife, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The airport has a single terminal with 12 gates

Little Rock Airport, officially known as Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, is a busy airport with flights to major cities across the country. It is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas and served more than 2.1 million passengers between March 2009 and February 2010. The airport has a single terminal with 12 gates. Six gates line the terminal, with three on either side, and a rotunda at the end with six more.

The airport covers 2,000 acres at an elevation of 266 feet above mean sea level. In the year ending February 28, 2023, the airport recorded 83,217 aircraft operations, averaging 228 per day. These operations included general aviation, scheduled commercial, air taxi, and military flights. The airport is also home to various aviation businesses, including aircraft maintenance, sales, and flight training providers.

The single terminal design at Little Rock Airport offers a streamlined experience for passengers. The main checkpoint is equipped with advanced scanning devices, and the TSA PreCheck lanes facilitate a quicker security check process. The airport recommends passengers arrive 2 to 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure to accommodate parking, security screening, and check-in procedures.

Little Rock Airport also offers a range of amenities for travellers, including restaurants, shops, and free wifi. However, it has received some criticism for long lines and limited food and shopping choices. The airport has a food truck vendor program and terminal concessions to enhance the dining options available to passengers. Overall, Little Rock Airport efficiently serves a high volume of passengers with its single terminal and 12 gates, providing a well-maintained and generally positive travel experience.

It's also known as Adams Field

Little Rock Airport, officially known as Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, is also referred to as Adams Field. The airport is located on the eastern edge of Little Rock, Arkansas, just south of the Arkansas River.

Adams Field was the original name of the airport, named after Captain George Geyer Adams of the 154th Observation Squadron, Arkansas National Guard. Captain Adams was killed in the line of duty on September 4, 1937. American Airlines was the first airline to serve Little Rock when it landed at Adams Field on June 19, 1931. During World War II, the airfield was used by the US Army Air Forces Third Air Force for antisubmarine patrols and training.

In March 2012, the airport was officially renamed Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, honouring Arkansas native and former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Despite the official name change, Adams Field continues to be used when referring to the airport's runways and air traffic and remains the airport's official designator.

As a joint civil-military airport, Little Rock Airport/Adams Field serves various aviation aspects, including air carrier, business, general aviation, and military operations. In the year ending February 28, 2023, the airport recorded 83,217 aircraft operations, averaging 228 per day. The airport is home to a range of aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter models. With more than 50 daily flights and nonstop service to 14 cities, Little Rock Airport/Adams Field is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas, catering to over 2.1 million passengers annually.

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