Waco's Airport: Does It Exist?

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is located in Waco, Texas, and is owned by the City of Waco. The airport is 15-20 minutes from downtown Waco and covers 1,369 acres, with two asphalt runways. It is primarily used for general aviation, military, air taxi, and airline flights. The airport offers flights through American Airlines and has jetways and gates for Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Waco Regional Airport also provides flight training through several organizations and is home to the Baylor University Flight Center.

Waco Regional Airport's history

Waco Regional Airport, located in McLennan County, Texas, has been serving the city of Waco for around a century. Initially, passengers flew into Waco via Rich Field, an old army base near the current-day Heart O’Texas Fairgrounds. The first commercial flight into Rich Field was a Travel-Air 6000 operated by Texas Air Transport (TAT) on March 30, 1929.

In 1941, the city of Waco purchased 528 acres of grazing farmland in China Spring to construct a new municipal airport. However, when the US entered World War II in December 1941, the War Department leased the partially completed site to the US Army Air Forces for use as a training airfield. The facility was initially named China Spring Army Air Field, then Waco Army Air Field No. 2, and finally Blackland Army Airfield, after the black soil of the area.

Blackland Army Airfield was activated on July 2, 1942, serving as a glider training school and a multi-engine flight training center. Cadets at Blackland were trained to pilot B-17, B-24, B-25, and B-26 bombers, undergoing intensive flight instruction and ground school classes. The base was home to diverse squadrons, reflecting the changing nature of the Army at the time, including the all-black 357th aviation squadron and the all-white 871st twin-engine training squadron.

In October 1942, the Army Air Force Pilot School (Advanced Twin-Engine) was activated, and on January 8, 1943, the 33d Flying Training Wing was established at Blackland. The school's mission was to train cadets to fly twin-engine transports and bombers through a combination of flight training and ground school classes.

Flying training at Blackland ended on February 4, 1945, and the field became inactive on October 31, 1945. The facility was eventually deeded to the local government and reopened as Waco Municipal Airport in 1945. Braniff Airlines began operations in 1945, followed by Pioneer Airlines in 1947.

In the following decades, the airport saw fluctuations in passenger numbers and airline services. Continental Airlines, which merged with Pioneer in 1955, ceased operations in 1963, while Trans-Texas Airways gained a monopoly over flights in Waco. Despite challenges and competition from larger airports, Waco Regional Airport persevered, and today it continues to serve the city of Waco, offering short flights to Dallas and flight training programs.

Waco Regional Airport's runways and aircraft operations

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is located in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, and is owned by the City of Waco. The airport is a 15 to 20-minute drive from downtown and central Waco. Covering 1,369 acres, it features two asphalt runways: 1/19, which measures 7,107 by 150 feet, and 14/32, which is 5,103 by 150 feet.

In the year ending June 30, 2022, Waco Regional Airport recorded 66,191 aircraft operations, averaging 181 per day. The breakdown of these operations was as follows: 83% general aviation, 10% military, 7% air taxi, and less than 1% airline. At that time, 74 aircraft were based at the airport, including 52 single-engine, 13 multi-engine, 3 jet, and 6 helicopter aircraft.

The airport has two jetways with three gates in use, providing service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines. Waco Regional Airport also hosts a full-service FBO, Texas Aero, and offers flight training through several providers, including Chiota Aviation, Universal Flight Concepts, and Waco Flight Training. Additionally, the airport is home to the Baylor University Flight Center, which supports the university's Aviation Sciences Program.

Waco Regional Airport's airlines and flights

Waco Regional Airport Airlines and Flights

Waco Regional Airport (IATA: ACT, ICAO: KACT, FAA LID: ACT) is located in Waco, Texas, and is owned by the City of Waco. The airport is around a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Waco. Waco Regional Airport covers 1,369 acres and has two asphalt runways.

In the year ending June 30, 2022, the airport recorded 66,191 aircraft operations, with an average of 181 per day. The airport caters to general aviation, military, air taxi, and airline services. As of 2022, 74 aircraft are based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter aircraft.

The airport has two jetways with three gates in use, offering services to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines.

For those interested in flight training, Waco Regional Airport hosts several providers, including Chiota Aviation, Universal Flight Concepts, and Waco Flight Training. The airport is also home to the Baylor University Flight Center, supporting the university's Aviation Sciences Program.

Airlines Operating at Waco Regional Airport

As of 2023, American Airlines appears to be the primary airline operating at Waco Regional Airport, offering flights to various domestic destinations within the United States.

Sample Flight Routes and Fares

• Denver International Airport (round trip): $188
• Denver International Airport (one-way): $99
• Albuquerque International Sunport (round trip): $318
• Palm Springs International Airport (round trip): $350
• Harry Reid International Airport (round trip): $362

These fares are subject to change and may vary depending on the date of booking and other factors.

Airport Facilities

Waco Regional Airport provides parking options for both short-term and long-term stays. The airport also features the Aerodrome Cafe, located inside the terminal building.

Waco Regional Airport's facilities

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is located in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, and is owned by the City of Waco. The airport is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown and central Waco.

Covering 1,369 acres, Waco Regional Airport has two asphalt runways: 1/19, which is 7,107 x 150 ft, and 14/32, which is 5,103 x 150 ft. The airport has two jetways with three gates in use, offering services to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport through Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines. The Aerodrome Cafe is located inside the terminal building.

Waco Regional Airport provides flight training through several organisations, including Chiota Aviation, Universal Flight Concepts, and Waco Flight Training. The airport is also home to the Baylor University Flight Centre, which conducts flight training in support of the Baylor University Aviation Sciences Program.

In the year ending June 30, 2022, the airport recorded 66,191 aircraft operations, averaging 181 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (83%), followed by military (10%), air taxi (7%), and airline operations (<1%). At that time, 74 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter variants.

Waco Regional Airport offers convenient transportation options, including short-term and long-term parking. The airport's website provides information on ticket counter hours, gates, flight information, check-in and arrival times, reservations, and ticket changes.

Waco Regional Airport's parking and transportation

Waco Regional Airport Parking and Transportation

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is located in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, and is owned by the City of Waco. The airport is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown and central Waco.

Parking

Waco Regional Airport offers free long-term and short-term parking. To get to the airport from the south, take I-35 to exit 335 C (Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd), turn left at the light, and follow MLK until it changes to Steinbeck Bend. Then, turn right onto Airport Drive. If you're coming from the north, take I-35 to exit 339 (Lake Shore Drive), turn right, and follow Lake Shore Drive. Turn right on Steinbeck Bend, and then turn right onto Airport Drive.

Transportation

The airport is served by Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines, providing service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Waco Regional Airport has two jetways and three gates in use. The airport covers 1,369 acres and has two asphalt runways: 1/19, which is 7,107 feet by 150 feet, and 14/32, which is 5,103 feet by 150 feet.

In the year ending June 30, 2022, the airport recorded 66,191 aircraft operations, averaging 181 per day. The breakdown of these operations was 83% general aviation, 10% military, 7% air taxi, and less than 1% airline. There were 74 aircraft based at the airport, including 52 single-engine, 13 multi-engine, 3 jet, and 6 helicopter.

Frequently asked questions