Nebraska's Main Aviation Hub: All You Need To Know

what is nebraska

Nebraska is home to 243 airports, both public and private. Lincoln Airport is one of the major airports in Nebraska, with several amenities and services catering to the needs of travellers, including those with disabilities. The Eppley Airfield in Omaha is another significant airport in the state, serving nearly 4 million passengers annually. Other important airports are scattered across various cities in Nebraska, such as Chadron, Gordon, Valentine, Ainsworth, and O'Neill.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports in Nebraska 243
Name of major airport in Nebraska Eppley Airfield at Omaha
Number of travellers at Eppley Airfield at Omaha 4 million
Amenities at Eppley Airfield at Omaha Two food courts, three snack bars, a lounge, foreign currency exchange, three shoe shine stands, retail and specialty shops, ATMs, wireless internet access
Name of another important airport in Nebraska Lincoln Airport
Amenities at Lincoln Airport Parking lots for the disabled, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, TDD phones, elevators and escalators, ATMs, free luggage carts, wireless internet service, a restaurant, a news and gift shop, and a lounge
Airlines that serve Lincoln Airport United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Northwest Airlink
Other airports in Nebraska Chadron, Gordon, Valentine, Ainsworth, O’Neill, Norfolk, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Ogallala, Imperial, North Platte, MacCook, Hastings, Grand Island, and Fremont

shunhotel

Lincoln Airport

The airport is served by United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Northwest Airlink. In the year ending March 31, 2021, Lincoln Airport recorded 58,577 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day, with approximately 62% general aviation, 21% military, 13% air taxi, and 5% airline. As of March 2023, 174 aircraft were based at the airport, including 115 single-engine, 14 multi-engine, 22 military, 21 jet, and 2 helicopter aircraft. Lincoln Airport has four gates with jetways, with plans to expand to six gates as of February 2022. The primary runway, measuring 12,901 feet (3,932 m), was designated as an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle, although it was never used for that purpose. This runway can accommodate heavy military aircraft, such as the C-5 Galaxy and the Boeing E-4.

shunhotel

Eppley Airfield, Omaha

Eppley Airfield, also known as Omaha Airport, is located in Omaha, Nebraska, in the midwestern United States. It is situated three miles (5 km) northeast of downtown Omaha, on the west bank of the Missouri River in Douglas County. As the largest airport in Nebraska, it handles more arrivals and departures than all other airports in the state combined. It is classified as a medium-hub airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is owned and operated by the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA).

The history of Eppley Airfield dates back to 1925 when it began as an extension of Levi Carter Park near East Omaha. In the same year, the City of Omaha acquired 200 acres (0.8 km2) of cleared land adjacent to Carter Lake, and planes started landing and taking off from there. The airport was initially called Omaha Municipal Airport and American Legion Airport. In 1959, with a $1 million donation from the estate of Eugene C. Eppley, founder of the Eppley Hotel chain, and matching funds from the federal government, improvements were made to accommodate jet aircraft. As a result, the airport was renamed Eppley Airfield in 1960, and the first jets landed there in August of that year.

Eppley Airfield has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years. The terminal building opened in 1961, with Concourse B following in 1970 and Concourse A in 1986. In 2016, the airport expanded its on-site United States Customs and Border Protection facility (CBP) to enhance customs and inspection services for international passengers. Eppley Airfield is one of the "Customs Landing Rights Airports" for international flights, as designated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The airport is well-equipped to handle a large volume of passengers, with various amenities and services. It served nearly 4 million travellers annually as of 2023, and this number grew to 5,277,326 passengers in 2024. Southwest Airlines, American, and Delta were the largest carriers in 2024, collectively serving over 75% of passengers. To accommodate the growing passenger traffic, the Omaha Airport Authority announced a $950 million expansion plan in January 2024, which includes modernising the terminal, adding gates and facilities, and improving overall accessibility.

Eppley Airfield provides convenient access to downtown Omaha and the surrounding areas. Metro Transit Line 106 offers limited weekday rush-hour service to and from downtown, while Express Arrow intercity buses connect the airport with Norfolk. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before their departure time to allow for parking, check-in, and security screening. The airport offers a range of dining and shopping options, including food courts, snack bars, lounges, retail shops, and more, ensuring a comfortable and convenient travel experience for its patrons.

shunhotel

Chadron Airport

Nebraska's primary airport serving commercial flights is Eppley Airfield (OMA), located in Omaha. However, Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR), situated in the northwestern part of the state, plays a significant role as a general aviation airport for the region.

About Chadron Airport:

Chadron Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located two miles southeast of the central business district of Chadron, a city in Dawes County, Nebraska. The airport is owned by the Chadron Municipal Authority and serves the city and the surrounding areas. While it primarily caters to general aviation, it also offers scheduled commercial flights, providing essential air service to the region.

The airport covers an area of 452 acres and has two asphalt paved runways. The longer runway, with a length of 5,701 feet, is designated as Runway 5/23, while the shorter one, measuring 3,601 feet, is identified as Runway 12/30. These runways are equipped with lighting systems to facilitate night operations and low-visibility conditions.

Airlines and Destinations:

Currently, Chadron Airport is served by a single commercial airline, Boutique Air, which provides daily scheduled flights to Denver International Airport (DEN). These flights offer connections to a broader network of destinations, ensuring that passengers from northwestern Nebraska can reach major hubs and destinations across the country.

Ground Transportation and Amenities:

For ground transportation needs, passengers can utilize taxi services, rental car agencies, and ride-sharing options available at the airport. The airport also provides a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable travel experience. These include a passenger terminal with a waiting area, offering basic facilities such as restrooms and vending machines. Additionally, the airport has a fixed-base operator (FBO) that provides aviation fuel, hangar space, and other aviation-related services to general aviation pilots and aircraft owners.

Chadron Municipal Airport, with its convenient location and range of services, plays a vital role in supporting the region's aviation needs, contributing to the connectivity and accessibility of northwestern Nebraska.

Delaware Airport: Does It Exist?

You may want to see also

shunhotel

Gordon Airport

Nebraska has several important airports, including those at Chadron, Gordon, Valentine, Ainsworth, O’Neill, Norfolk, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Ogallala, Imperial, North Platte, MacCook, Hastings, Grand Island, Fremont, Lincoln, and Omaha's Eppley Airfield. Lincoln Airport is a notable example, as it is well-equipped to meet the needs of disabled passengers. It offers special parking lots, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, TDD phones, elevators, and escalators. The airport also provides various amenities, such as a restaurant, a news and gift shop, and a lounge. It serves airlines such as United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Northwest Airlink.

As for other airports in Nebraska, the Eppley Airfield in Omaha is a major airport that accommodates nearly 4 million travellers annually. This busy airport offers a range of amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. Passengers can access two food courts, three snack bars, a lounge, foreign currency exchange services, retail and specialty shops, and ATMs. Wireless internet access is also available within the concourse area.

Lincoln Airport is another significant airport in Nebraska, known for its focus on accessibility and passenger assistance. It offers a range of facilities for disabled passengers, including special parking, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and TDD phones. Additionally, the airport provides free luggage carts, elevators, and escalators for added convenience. Lincoln Airport also features a restaurant, a news stand and gift shop, and a lounge for passengers to relax and enjoy their snacks.

Nebraska's network of airports, including Gordon Airport, plays a vital role in connecting the state to the rest of the country and facilitating travel within the region. These airports vary in size and passenger volume, but each serves the important function of providing air transportation options for residents, businesses, and visitors to Nebraska.

Portland Airport: Business as Usual?

You may want to see also

shunhotel

Valentine Airport

Nebraska has several important airports, including those in Chadron, Gordon, Valentine, Ainsworth, O’Neill, Norfolk, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Ogallala, Imperial, North Platte, MacCook, Hastings, Grand Island, and Fremont.

Valentine is a city in Cherry County, Nebraska, and is served by Miller Field Airport, located a mile south of the city. The airport covers 279 acres of land at an elevation of 2,595 feet. It has two runways: 14/32, which is 4,704 feet long and 75 feet wide, and 3/21, which is 3,701 feet long and 60 feet wide. Both runways are made of concrete.

In the year ending June 24, 2020, Miller Field Airport had 4,900 aircraft operations, averaging 94 per week. Of these, 81% were general aviation, 19% were air taxi, and less than 1% were military. The airport also had airline flights for a year or two starting in 1959, with Frontier DC-3s.

While Valentine Airport is a public airport serving Cherry County, Nebraska, the Eppley Airfield in Omaha and Lincoln Airport are also major airports in the state, serving nearly 4 million travelers each year. These larger airports offer various amenities, including food courts, snack bars, lounges, retail shops, and wireless internet access.

Frequently asked questions

Nebraska has several major airports, including Lincoln Airport, Eppley Airfield at Omaha, Chadron, Gordon, Valentine, and Ainsworth.

Lincoln Airport is well-equipped to meet the needs of disabled passengers, with special parking lots, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, TDD phones, elevators, and escalators. The airport also offers free luggage carts, ATMs, a restaurant, a news and gift shop, and a lounge.

The airlines that serve Lincoln Airport are United Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Northwest Airlink.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment