Sachin Walls
Valley International Airport, also known as Harlingen Airport, is located in Harlingen, Texas. The airport is 4 miles from the center of Harlingen and offers both domestic and international flights. It is served by various airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which has a hub at the airport, and United Airlines, which serves the airport through its United Express service. The airport has a long history, initially serving as a military airfield before being converted to civil use in the 1960s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Valley International Airport |
| Location | 4 miles from the center of Harlingen, Texas |
| Codes | HRL/KHRL/VIA |
| Runway | Longest runway in South Texas |
| Amenities | Shops and restaurants |
| Airlines | Southwest Airlines, Texas International Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, United Express, Mexicana de Aviacion |
| Destinations | Texas locales like South Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Cancun, Chicago, Monterrey, Tampico, Veracruz, Austin, Houston, Laredo, San Antonio, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, Los Angeles, Albuquerque |
| Military Aircraft | 50% of flight operations |
| Uber | Available |
| Recent Status | Closed until further notice due to flooding |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Valley International Airport
The airport was previously known as Harlingen Regional Airport, and before that, Harlingen Industrial Airport. The airport was converted to civil use in 1962 after the Harlingen Air Force Base closed. In 1967, the original Harlingen civil airport, Harlingen Municipal Airport/Harvey Richards Field, was closed due to wind and flood damage from Hurricane Beulah, and civil aviation operations moved to the former air force base.
The airport offers daily non-stop flights to several destinations across the United States, including Austin, Houston (Bush-IAH and Hobby), Dallas/Fort Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and Denver. Internationally, the airport serves Cancún, Mexico, and in the past, there have been flights to Mexico City, Monterrey, Tampico, and Veracruz.
Exploring Buenos Aires: Multiple Airports, One Vibrant City
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Military aircraft
Valley International Airport (VIA) in Harlingen, Texas, is located approximately 3 to 4 miles from the city centre. It is the largest airport in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and is often referred to as the "Gateway to South Padre Island". The airport offers a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, dining options, gift shops, and convenient parking. VIA also ensures accessibility for all passengers and is served by several major airlines, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
Despite its closure as an active military installation, around 50% of the airport's flight operations still consist of military aircraft. These include U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy training aircraft from various bases in southern and central Texas. From 1947 to 1960, Trans-Texas Airways operated Douglas DC-3s at the airport under a joint civil-military agreement. During this time, the airport was known as Harlingen Air Force Base, and its primary mission was to train aerial gunners. An auxiliary airfield was also built at Port Isabel to support training and flight operations.
In 1968, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), then known as the Confederate Air Force, relocated to what was then Harlingen Industrial Airport. The CAF is an American non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring and preserving historically significant former military combat aircraft from World War II. They leased three former USAF buildings and a section of the flight line ramp area, which included 26,000 square feet of museum space. Over the years, the CAF expanded its operations and established additional elements at other airports across the United States. However, by 1990, they had outgrown the Harlingen facility and relocated to Midland International Airport in Midland, Texas.
The Marine Military Academy, located near the airport, is a school that was opened in 1965 and can accommodate up to 250 cadets. The school is home to the Iwo Jima Memorial and Museum, which honours the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. The memorial and museum are popular attractions for visitors to the area.
Punta Gorda Airport: Where to Eat?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines and destinations
Valley International Airport (IATA code: HRL) is located in Harlingen, Texas. The airport is served by several airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.
American Airlines:
American Airlines offers non-stop flights from Harlingen to Dallas (DFW) daily and seasonal flights to Chicago (ORD).
Delta Airlines:
Delta Airlines provides daily non-stop services from Harlingen to Austin (AUS) and seasonal flights to Minneapolis (MSP).
Southwest Airlines:
Southwest Airlines, the largest airline at HRL, operates daily non-stop flights to Austin (AUS), Houston (HOU), and Dallas (DAL). Southwest also served Harlingen as an intrastate airline in 1975 with Boeing 737-200 jets.
Sun Country Airlines:
Sun Country Airlines offers seasonal non-stop flights from Harlingen to Minneapolis (MSP) and Cancun, Mexico (CUN).
United Airlines:
United Airlines serves the airport through its subsidiary United Express, providing services to various destinations.
In addition to these airlines, Valley International Airport has a significant presence of military aircraft, with approximately 50% of its flight operations consisting of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy training aircraft. The airport also offers flights to popular Texas locales like South Padre Island and Corpus Christi and international destinations such as Cancun and Chicago.
Airports' Creative Ways to Announce Flights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Uber to HRL
The closest airport to Harlingen, Texas is Valley International Airport (HRL), which is located just 4 miles from the city centre. This airport still sees approximately 50% of its flight operations consisting of military aircraft.
Uber offers rides to and from HRL Airport. The Uber app provides upfront pricing, so you can see the price at the beginning of each trip. You can also use the app to access in-app safety features, such as sharing trip details with contacts and accessing the emergency assistance button.
When you request a ride, you will be matched with a driver and can then contact them through the app to confirm luggage space. The luggage capacity varies by Uber ride type. For example, an UberX ride can usually hold 2 suitcases, while an UberXL ride can hold 3. The grace period to meet your driver depends on the ride option you choose. For UberX, Uber Comfort, and UberXL, you have 2 minutes to meet your driver to avoid wait time fees, while for Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, Uber Premier, and Uber Premier SUV, you have 5 minutes.
If you are travelling with a small child, you can request a car seat, and service animals are allowed. For pets, it is recommended to select Uber Pet when choosing your ride option.
Fort Walton Beach Airport: Location and Travel Guide
You may want to see also
Closures
Valley International Airport (VIA) in Harlingen, Texas, has experienced several closures and changes in its history. The airport, located in Cameron County, Texas, is owned by the city of Harlingen and operated by an appointed nine-member airport board.
The site has a long history of military use, dating back to its time as the Harlingen Air Force Base, which closed in 1962 due to a proposal by President John F. Kennedy to close 70 air bases in the United States. The base was turned over to the City of Harlingen and converted to civil use as the Harlingen Industrial Airport.
However, this was not the end of the airport's military associations. Despite its closure as an active military installation, even today, around 50% of its flight operations consist of military aircraft, primarily from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.
In 1967, the original Harlingen civil airport, the Harlingen Municipal Airport/Harvey Richards Field, was permanently closed due to wind and flood damage caused by Hurricane Beulah. All civil aviation operations were then shifted to the Harlingen Industrial Airport, which was renamed the Harlingen Regional Airport.
The airport has also undergone several name changes. It was initially known as the Harlingen Industrial Airport after the closure of the Harlingen Air Force Base. Following the closure of the Harlingen Municipal Airport/Harvey Richards Field, the airport was renamed the Harlingen Regional Airport. It later received its current name, Valley International Airport, despite still being commonly referred to as Harlingen Airport.
X-Ray Vision: Can Airport Scanners Detect Drugs?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Valley International Airport, also known as Harlingen Airport or HRL Airport.
The airport is approximately 4 miles from the centre of Harlingen, Texas.
Southwest Airlines is the largest airline at Harlingen Airport, accounting for approximately 62% of the airport's market share. United Express, a merger of Continental and United Airlines, also serves the airport.
Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport is 28 miles from Harlingen, McAllen-Miller International Airport is 36 miles away, and General Servando Canales International Airport is 36 miles away in Matamoros, Mexico.
