Roberta Aguirre
The title of the smallest airport in the US goes to Montana's Dawson Community Airport, which covers a mere 413 acres. The airport is located in Dawson County, five miles northwest of Glendive. It offers two daily flights to Billings, Montana, and has a 4.8-star rating on Google. However, Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey, Morgantown Municipal Airport in West Virginia, and several other airports are also in the running for the smallest airport in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smallest airport in the US | Dawson Community Airport, Montana |
| Area | 413 acres |
| Elevation | 2,458 feet |
| Distance from Glendive, Dawson County | 5 miles |
| Number of flights to Billings, Montana | 2 daily |
| Number of airlines serving the airport | 1 (Cape Air) |
| Passenger traffic | 5,000+ in 2016 |
| TSA wait times | Less than a minute |
| Google rating | 4.8 stars |
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What You'll Learn
- Montana's L.M. Clayton Airport is the smallest in the contiguous US with scheduled air service
- Trenton–Mercer Airport in New Jersey is also a contender for the smallest airport
- The Arcata-Eureka Airport in California is another small airport
- Vermont has the fewest commercial airports of any US state
- Maryland's Hagerstown Regional is the state's smallest commercial airport
Montana's L.M. Clayton Airport is the smallest in the contiguous US with scheduled air service
Montana is home to the smallest airport in the contiguous US with scheduled air service. L.M. Clayton Airport, located three miles east of Wolf Point in Roosevelt County, Montana, is the smallest of its kind. The airport covers 290 acres at an elevation of 1,989 feet. It has a single runway, 11/29, which measures 5,091 by 100 feet.
In 2011, the airport recorded 5,975 aircraft operations, averaging 16 per day. These operations included general aviation (53%), air taxi (47%), and a small percentage of military flights. The airport is served by a single airline, operating with Essential Air Service (EAS) support.
L.M. Clayton Airport's small size is notable, but it is not the smallest airport in the US overall. That title goes to Dawson Community Airport, also in Montana. Covering 413 acres, this airport is located five miles northwest of Glendive in Dawson County. Cape Air is the sole airline serving Dawson Community Airport, offering two daily flights to Billings, Montana.
While L.M. Clayton Airport is the smallest in the contiguous US with scheduled air service, other small airports are scattered across the country, including in Trenton, New Jersey, and Milford Sound, New Zealand.
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Trenton–Mercer Airport in New Jersey is also a contender for the smallest airport
While the Dawson Community Airport in Montana is widely recognised as the smallest airport in the US, Trenton–Mercer Airport in New Jersey is also a contender for the title. Formerly known as the Mercer County Airport, Trenton–Mercer Airport is located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County. Covering 1,345 acres of land at an elevation of 212 feet, it is significantly larger in area than the Dawson Community Airport's 413 acres. However, Trenton–Mercer Airport has some unique features that set it apart and contribute to its claim as one of the smallest airports.
Passengers at Trenton–Mercer Airport walk down a ramp to the trailer that serves as the baggage claim area, rather than strolling from the plane to the jetway and into the airport. The airport has two asphalt runways, with the larger one measuring 6,006 by 150 feet, and it is home to multiple flight schools and military facilities. The airport serves one scheduled airline, with approximately 601,000 passengers arriving and departing in the 12 months ending in July 2023. This makes it the third busiest airport in New Jersey, with an average of 308 aircraft operations per day.
Trenton–Mercer Airport's unique features and relatively small size have not gone unnoticed, with some considering it a strong contender for the smallest airport in the US. Its compact size and efficient layout contribute to this perception. The airport's proximity to the city of Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, also adds to its significance. Despite its size, the airport has a busy schedule, serving a considerable number of passengers each year.
The airport has a rich history, having once been known as Skillman Airport and serving as a testing ground for Navy Avenger Torpedo Bombers during World War II. The airport's name was changed to Trenton–Mercer Airport in 1995 to associate it more closely with the city of Trenton. The airport has continued to evolve, with the implementation of an automated surface observing system in 1998, replacing human weather observers.
While the Dawson Community Airport in Montana holds the official distinction of being the smallest airport in the US, Trenton–Mercer Airport in New Jersey offers a unique experience with its compact size, efficient layout, and proximity to the state capital. Its historical significance and busy schedule further enhance its reputation as a strong contender for the smallest airport in the country.
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The Arcata-Eureka Airport in California is another small airport
The Arcata-Eureka Airport was originally built by the United States Navy during World War II to test defogging systems. It supported the Naval Air Station Alameda and served as the headquarters for the Eureka section of the naval local defence unit. Today, the airport is a federally designated port of entry for civil aircraft arriving in the United States. It is also the site of the command centre for the United States Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay, which provides rescue and law enforcement services for the region north of the San Francisco Bay Area.
In terms of operations, the Arcata-Eureka Airport had 42,174 aircraft operations in the year ending May 31, 2019, averaging 116 per day. The breakdown of these operations was 61% military, 25% general aviation, and 14% airline. At that time, 24 aircraft were based at the airport, including 18 single-engine planes, 3 multi-engine planes, and 3 helicopters.
Over the years, several airlines have served the Arcata-Eureka Airport. Some of these include Air Oregon in the early 1980s, Hughes Airwest, Republic Airlines from 1979 to 1986, and Arcata Flying Service in the early 1980s. More recently, American Airlines offered flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from June 3, 2021, to August 15, 2022. Additionally, Avelo Airlines initiated a new nonstop service to Hollywood Burbank Airport in May 2019.
In summary, the Arcata-Eureka Airport in California is a small airport with a rich history, serving a modest number of passengers and aircraft operations. It has been an important testing ground for aviation technology and continues to provide essential aviation services to the region.
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Vermont has the fewest commercial airports of any US state
Vermont's proximity to large airports in neighbouring states like New York and Massachusetts reduces the need for multiple airport facilities within the state. Despite this, Burlington International Airport recorded a significant number of commercial passenger enplanements in 2022, with a total of 601,441.
When determining the number of commercial airports in a state, population size is not the only factor to consider. Proximity to major airports in neighbouring states can also influence the demand for additional airport infrastructure. This is reflected in the variation in population sizes among the states with the fewest commercial airports.
While Vermont has the fewest commercial airports, other states with a small number include Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire, each of which has two commercial airports that meet FAA certification criteria.
When it comes to the smallest airport in terms of size, the title goes to the Dawson Community Airport in Montana. Covering only 413 acres, it is served by a single airline, Cape Air, which offers two daily flights to Billings, Montana.
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Maryland's Hagerstown Regional is the state's smallest commercial airport
When it comes to the smallest airports in the US, there are quite a few contenders. Trenton, New Jersey, for example, has one of the smallest airports, where passengers walk to the terminal instead of strolling from the plane to the jetway. Another small airport is located in Paducah, KY.
However, Maryland's Hagerstown Regional is the state's smallest commercial airport. Hagerstown Regional Airport covers 693 acres at an elevation of 703 feet. It has two asphalt runways, with the airport completing a terminal expansion project to create more seating and shelter for passengers. Hagerstown Regional Airport was without an airline for a little over a year until Allegiant Air began flying to Orlando Sanford International Airport. The airline started commercial service on November 14, 2008, but scheduled service ended on July 19, 2010, before resuming later.
The airport has a varied history. An aircraft manufacturing facility was built on the site during Fairchild Aircraft Corporation's ownership, which lasted from 1934 until after World War II. The Fairchild Aircraft factory produced PT-19 trainers and C-82 Packet transport aircraft for the war effort. Hagerstown Regional Airport's eligibility for Essential Air Service was almost cut in 2013 due to a low number of enplanements, but a waiver was approved. In the year ending March 31, 2023, the airport recorded 39,303 aircraft operations, averaging 108 per day.
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Frequently asked questions
Montana has the smallest airport in the US. The Dawson Community Airport covers 413 acres and is located five miles northwest of Glendive in Dawson County.
The Dawson Community Airport has a 4.8-star rating on Google, probably due to its short TSA wait times, which are less than a minute. Cape Air is the only airline that serves the airport, offering two daily flights to Billings, Montana, for $52 round trip.
The L.M. Clayton Airport in Wolf Point, Roosevelt County, Montana, is the smallest airport in the contiguous US with scheduled air service. The airport is served by one airline and covers 413 acres.
Some other small airports in the US include the Morgantown Municipal Airport in West Virginia, Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey, and the Arcata-Eureka Airport in California.
Smaller airports are less hectic and more relaxing, with shorter lines and sparse crowds. They often provide warm customer care and are more convenient for domestic travel.
